Tyndall's judge advocates put local students on trial Published May 2, 2014 By Senior Airman Christopher Reel 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- In honor of Law Day, May 1, the members of Tyndall's legal office went to Bay High School and Tyndall Elementary to engage with students about the legal system. Bay High School students participated in educational sessions about being a judge advocate general, paralegal and general information about the law. Third, fourth and fifth grade students from Tyndall Elementary School put on mock trials with the help of the legal staff. "Each student volunteer had a different role such as prosecution, defense, judge, etc.," said Capt. Vincent Defabo, 325th Fighter Wing assistant judge advocate chief. "The jury was also made up of students." At the end of the trials, the legal staff engaged the students in a brief discussion about the law and provided a question and answer session by the students. Law day is a program that is held annually May 1 around the country. President Dwight Eisenhower established the first Law Day in 1958 to mark the nation's commitment to the rule of law, according to the American Bar Association's website. In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day. Every president since then has issued a Law Day proclamation on May 1 to celebrate the nation's commitment to the rule of law. "Outreach is a big component of law day, as well as education and awareness," said Defabo. "We are specifically focusing on the education component. We hope to increase children and young adults' understanding of the law and maybe even spark interest for some to become future lawyers and paralegals." This is the second time Tyndall's legal team went to Tyndall Elementary, and the first time they went to Bay High School.