Know Your Constitution Program
The Know Your Constitution committee of the Young Lawyers Division of the Iowa State Bar Association offers one of the best and most-publicized, law-related educational programs in the State of Iowa. Each fall, a quiz with fifty multiple choice questions and one essay question is distributed to high school students all over the state. The students are then given several weeks to complete this open-book test. After all quizzes are returned to the Bar Association office, the Committee then grades the quizzes to select 100 finalists, one from each House district. In a typical year, approximately 2000 high school students participate in the contest. The 100 finalists then are invited along with their teachers to an awards luncheon in the Des Moines area. Of the 100 finalists, five are chosen at random and awarded an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for them and their teachers.


We the Jury
For over two hundred years, Americans have revered the Bill of Rights and the vital jury process it guarantees. Nowhere is the American concept of justice “of the people, by the people, and for the people” better embodied than in the jury box. The jury system in the United States is a key component of our democracy and our freedom. Juries are composed of average citizens who actively participate in deciding the outcome of legal disputes brought to trial. We the Jury is designed to bring this proud American heritage directly to the classroom.


High School and Jr. High School Mock Trial Program
The mock trial program is designed to introduce students to our legal system by providing a challenging, academic competition. The program offers students an opportunity for personal growth and achievement, emphasizing the importance of research, presentation, and teamwork.

In addition to teaching students about contemporary public issues and the legal system, the program encourages teachers and students to develop learning partnerships with professionals from the community. Lawyers from communities throughout Iowa contribute their time as coaches and judges at the tournaments. Judges from Iowa's District Courts also participate. These linkages between the schools and the legal profession show students that the community is committed to their educational success.