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.
Justice 101: Bill of Rights: Trial Amendments and the Rights of the Accused
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
12:00 - 1:00pm EST
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, including David French, columnist at The New York Times, 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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