The Salt River Justice Center was a popular place to be on May 1, but not because the courtrooms were full of real cases. Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community members and tribal government and court employees were there to take part in the annual all-day Law Day event.

Each year on May 1, court systems around the country participate in the nationwide Law Day with their own themes. The Salt River Court’s theme this year was “Rooted in Tradition, Rising Together.”

“With all of the people that came out and showed up, we’re rising together as a court family,” said SRPMIC Presiding Judge Raymond Deer. “We’re so grateful for the turnout this year.”

The day began with breakfast outside and an opening ceremony in the court lobby with a blessing and traditional singers and dancers.

Shortly after, court employees gathered for a mandatory ethics training session in the Jury Assembly Room.

3 Takeaways:

• Law Day’s theme this year was “Rooted in Tradition, Rising Together.”
• The all-day event explored a variety of law-related topics.
• Salt River Elementary School sixth-grade students participated in a mock courtroom trial based on the Disney movie “Zootopia.”

In Courtroom 5, the annual mock trial entertained and educated sixth-graders from Salt River Schools. This year, court employees acted out a courtroom drama loosely based on the Disney movie “Zootopia.” Some of the students were selected to be jurors.

“There’s a scenario where we as court staff and other legal departments dress up as Zootopia characters, and they have a scene where someone stole something and they go to the court and play it out,” said Deer.

Deer said court staff paused throughout the play to teach the students the legal definitions of what’s happening in real time, “but in a fun way.”

One of the characters was a sloth that moved slowly around the courtroom. His movements elicited a few laughs from the audience.

“The sloth was ready. It was a great character. So the kids had fun at the same time,” said Deer. “They’re learning the different ways of the law, and hopefully one day they’re going to be our featured judges, lawyers, clerks and bailiffs.”

During the evening, the public was invited to an informative event which provided education about a variety of law topics. SRPMIC departments supplied swag, games and prizes to people in exchange for delivering information about the legal-related services they provide to the Community.

The Multimedia Team at Community Relations worked together with SRPMIC Associate Judge Aristina Sanchez to construct a large temporary photo wall in the court lobby for visitors to see. The photos were of the people who helped build the Salt River Court into what it is today.

Court Services Supervisor Darren Manuel gave O’odham Action News a tour of some of the items in the photos that are still used to this day, including an SRPMIC seal, a typewriter and a chair.

“This chair is probably 30 years old,” Manuel said, pointing to the wooden chair in one of the courtrooms.

“It used to sit in Courtroom 1 in the old building.”