Law Day Remembers Miranda with visit from Judge Agnes and Speech Contest

The LBA celebrated this year's Law Day with a celebration on the theme "Miranda: More than Words" after the landmark ruling from 50 years ago. 

The day began with a speech contest of local high school students who gave their own perspective on the day's theme. The event continued with a luncheon at Salvatore's in Lawrence where Judge Peter Agnes, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, spoke about the "legal earthquake" of the Miranda decision. He noted that Miranda is a reminder to police, prosecutors, and judges that this is a "society of laws and not men and women. There are limits we can't go beyond to pursue justice."

The LBA also honored Andy Caffrey for his many years of commitment to the LBA and to the surrounding community with his generous work. In comments thanking the LBA, he noted the organization's value to both new and old lawyers: "ask for help when you need it; give it when you can provide it."

The winner of the speech contest was Margaret Devlin (Central Catholic High School), who was awarded a $500 prize for her speech in front of the three-judge panel. The other participants in the speech contest, who were each awarded $100, were Alison Keenan (Methuen High School), Trammie Tran (Brooks School, North Andover), Elizabeth Stackley (Lawrence High School), and Angela Walukevich (Presentation of Mary Academy, Methuen).