Justice 101 — Join us each month as we dive into some of the most pressing issues in criminal justice today, through a historical lens and with a focus on civic education. Each program includes interactive online or in-person elements, expert voices, and opportunities for community dialogue.

Talks
All Ages

Justice 101: Bill of Rights: Trial Amendments and the Rights of the Accused

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

11:00 - 1:00pm EST

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The principles of human dignity and due process stand at the heart of American democracy, from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution and the Reconstruction Amendments. This Justice 101 session will explore how the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments shaped our nation’s understanding of fairness, liberty, and justice within the legal system. 

Through a discussion with leading constitutional scholars, we will examine the origins of due process protections, their role in balancing state power with individual rights, and their continued relevance in today’s debates about criminal justice reform. How have these amendments been interpreted over time? What do they mean for ensuring justice for all in modern America? 

Join us for this dynamic conversation as we trace the evolving promise of due process and its enduring impact on human dignity and the justice system. 

Speakers to be announced. Date and time subject to change.

About Justice 101:
Powered by the Eastern State Center for Justice Education, Justice 101 is a monthly discussion series that dives into some of the most pressing issues in criminal justice today, through a historical lens and with a focus on civic education. Each program includes interactive online or in-person elements, expert voices, and opportunities for community dialogue.

About the Panelists:

David French

Columnist, The New York Times

David French is a columnist for The New York Times. A graduate of Harvard Law School, David was previously a senior editor at The Dispatch and a contributing writer at The Atlantic. He is a former constitutional litigator and a past president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

David is a New York Times bestselling author, and his most recent book is “Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation.” David is a former major in the United States Army Reserve and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

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Interested in more Justice 101 events?

Justice 101: Restorative Justice: A Closer Look at Alternatives
Justice 101

Justice 101: Restorative Justice: A Closer Look at Alternatives

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
5:30pm - 7:30pm

Free event. Advance registration required. Explore the dynamics of restorative justice, a practice that offers a transformative approach to addressing harm, emphasizing dialogue and understanding between victims and perpetrators as a path to healing and closure.

Justice 101: Redemption Songs: Stories, Music, and the Struggle for Justice
Justice 101

Justice 101: Redemption Songs: Stories, Music, and the Struggle for Justice

Thursday, December 18, 2025
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Free event. Advance registration required. Join us for musical performance, storytelling, and Jewish ritual to rededicate our synagogue.

Justice 101: The Civil Rights Movement: Finding Justice and Calling on the Declaration of Independence
Justice 101

Justice 101: The Civil Rights Movement: Finding Justice and Calling on the Declaration of Independence

Thursday, January 01 - Saturday, January 31, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Justice 101: The First Amendment and Incarceration: Natural Right to Freedom of Expression
Justice 101

Justice 101: The First Amendment and Incarceration: Natural Right to Freedom of Expression

Sunday, February 01 - Saturday, February 28, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Justice 101: Women and Incarceration
Justice 101

Justice 101: Women and Incarceration

Sunday, March 01 - Tuesday, March 31, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Justice 101: To Establish Justice: Reentry and Recidivism
Justice 101

Justice 101: To Establish Justice: Reentry and Recidivism

Wednesday, April 01 - Thursday, April 30, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Justice 101: National Historic Preservation: The Power of Place
Justice 101

Justice 101: National Historic Preservation: The Power of Place

Friday, May 01 - Sunday, May 31, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Justice 101: The History and Meaning of Juneteenth Today
Justice 101

Justice 101: The History and Meaning of Juneteenth Today

Monday, June 01 - Tuesday, June 30, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Justice 101: The History of the Justice System in England and America
Justice 101

Justice 101: The History of the Justice System in England and America

Wednesday, July 01 - Friday, July 31, 2026
All Day

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