“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?”
Anyone who’s watched a crime drama recognizes those words – aka the Miranda rights. While it’s easy for many Americans to take the simple phrase for granted, attorney Robert Palmer believes laws such as these make the U.S. civil justice system unique.
“A lot of people don’t know where Miranda laws came from or why they are important,” said Palmer of the Law Offices of PalmerOliver PC. “Miranda was the name of a man. He spoke to police when he didn’t have to because he didn’t know his rights.
“In other countries, they torture people to make them talk. Lots of innocent people confess to crimes.”
This year, America marks the 50th anniversary of one of the nation’s best-known U.S. Supreme Court cases, Miranda v. Arizona. The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association’s 2016 Law Day theme – “Miranda: More than Words” – explores the procedural protections afforded to citizens by the U.S. Constitution, how these rights are safeguarded by the courts and why the preservation of these principles is essential to liberty.
“Law Day has become an overlooked day, something just for lawyers,” said Palmer, who also is SMBA president this year. “Regular people don’t understand how important things such as jury service are. Next to voting, it’s the highest form of civic obligation we have.”
The first Law Day was celebrated in 1958, following a decree from President Dwight Eisenhower. Since then, each sitting president has declared through proclamation Law Day to be May 1, said Derek Ankrom, an attorney with Spencer Fane LLP and Law Day committee chairman for the SMBA.
“It really serves to remind us all, every citizen, that we are governed by the rule of law,” he said.
Nowadays, bar associations nationwide celebrate the day with speakers, lunches and activities to involve the community. Local activities include a poster contest for elementary students, essay contest for middle schoolers and video contest for high school students. With over 120 entries in the poster contest, Ankrom said the work will be on display at the Springfield-Greene County Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., through the week of May 2.
SMBA Executive Director Crista Hogan said the contest will always hold a special place in her heart. She won a Law Day essay contest in her youth.
“It has sort of fallen out of favor with teachers. In the first couple years I was here, we gave out three prizes and were lucky to get three entries,” she said. “We’ve really worked to revive this tradition, and the teachers have embraced it. We’ve had over 100 entries for the past few years.
“It’s important the students learn about their civil rights and responsibilities in practical terms. These posters, essays and videos can help illustrate that.”
This year, the SMBA will host its annual Law Day lunch May 11. The event includes awards in four categories: the Liberty Bell, given to a person outside the law community who makes an impact; the Equal Access to Justice Award, given for a lawyer’s pro bono work; Judicial Excellence Award, given every three years for a lawyer’s support of the bar; and the Distinguished Attorney Award, the SMBA’s highest honor recognizing service to the legal profession.
“There is a lot of really good competition,” said Hogan, noting most awards are determined through committee based on community nomination. “The Distinguished Attorney Award is actually chosen by a group of former winners. I think that makes it a bit more special.”
The lunch kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at Hickory Hills Country Club, 3909 E. Cherry St. While it’s only open to SMBA members and their guests, Palmer said Law Day is a celebration everyone can share in.
“Most law is business to business, not criminal like people think. The law makes sure people honor contracts, protects patents, allows you to adopt a child or get divorced,” he said. “The law touches people all the time, every day.”
Moseley’s Discount Office Products was purchased; Side Chick opened in Branson; and the Springfield franchise store of NoBaked Cookie Dough changed ownership.
