2025 Law Day Civics Op-Ed by WCBA President Deana Stephens

At this time of year, when the flowers are blooming and the breeze hints of warmer weather, the Washington County Bar Association (“WCBA”) is readying for a different season: Law Day. For decades, the local Bar Association has been observing Law Day on and around May 1, with activities and projects that celebrate the Rule of Law. “Law Day-U.S.A.” was established on May 1, 1958, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

This year, at 6pm on May 1 at the Courthouse, we will host a public Law Day Celebration. We will present Law Day contest awards to students who have submitted entries that best explain and illustrate this year’s theme, “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.” The winners and their contest entries will also be featured in a special two-page spread that day in the Observer-Reporter. At the event, we will also present a Liberty Bell award to a non-lawyer who promotes a better understanding of our form of government and an appreciation of the rule of law.

These past two years, WCBA has enhanced its Law Day and other law-related education programs with activities that support civics education and civil discourse. These projects have been funded primarily through a grant from the American Bar Association and the American Arbitration Association - International Center for Dispute Resolution. One project you may personally have experienced is our Civics Quiz.

Over the past 18 months, we have taken our Civics Quiz prize wheel on the road to festivals, ballparks, and other events asking civics questions and handing out prizes for correct answers. The questions are taken from the naturalization test that immigrants need to pass to become a citizen of the United States. Topics include basic information about our system of government, the U.S. Constitution, and American history. If you are one of the thousands of people who have participated thus far, THANK YOU!

Many participating in our Civics Quiz have needed hints to arrive at the correct answer. Too many. A distressing number of adults could not name the three branches of government, or even one freedom guaranteed in the First Amendment – hint: there are several, and the right to bear arms is not one of them (that’s the Second Amendment). Our school age participants were asked questions such as “where is the nation’s capital?” Middle and high schoolers who were actively studying the Constitution in their social studies classes did well.

Nationally, in a poll of 1,000 people for the 2024 annual Survey of Civic Literacy by the American Bar Association, more than a third of respondents incorrectly answered that the judicial branch enforces laws (38%) instead of correctly responding that the judiciary reviews laws (41%). Only about half (52%) knew the U.S. House of Representatives has 435 members. Fortunately for our civil society, 81% knew “rule of law” means everyone must follow the law.

The ABA survey also reports that an astounding 75% of U.S. residents say America’s system of democracy is weaker than it was five years ago, and that the main cause for the downward spiral is the spread of misinformation and disinformation. At this time in our country, when civil discourse is lacking and disagreements often disintegrate into uninformed social media shouting matches, it is important for every American to understand the foundations of our democracy.

The Washington County Bar Association and its charitable foundation are committed to providing law-related and civics education to advance the understanding of the rule of law. Programs such as the Civics Quiz, a reading of the entire Constitution each year on the Courthouse steps, People’s Law School, Law School for Nonprofits, a speaker’s bureau, and “Time to Adult! Legal Issue when you turn 18” are available to schools and other groups upon request.

Help us celebrate and honor our great American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law. Join us on May 1 at the Courthouse - we will have the Civics Quiz prize wheel with us if you would like to test your civics knowledge! We hope to see you there.

 Deana M. Stephens, Esq.

President, Washington County Bar Association