Local Affiliate

Laredo Color of Justice Program
By: Mary Capello

On Tuesday, April 5, in Laredo, Texas, a group of local high school and college students got the chance to experience “a day in the life” where justice is served. Students were invited to get up-close and personal with local legal professionals for a glimpse into what daily life is like for those with careers in law and the judiciary. 

The program is called the Color of Justice (CJP).  The CJP aims to educate and motivate young minority students to consider a career in law. Judge Beckie Palomo, of the 341st District Court, spearheads the local effort, in partnership with the National Association of Women Judges. When asked why Judge Palomo thought the program was important to bring to the area, she cited the increasing Hispanic population and its lack of representation in prominent and elected positions. “The objective of the Color of Justice Program is to educate, encourage, and inspire minority students to pursue a career in the law and positions in judgeship,” Palomo said.

This year, the CJP invited more than 130 students to participate. Student attendees more than tripled last year’s attendance, making the second annual Color of Justice in the Laredo area a great success. The students were from the Laredo, United, and Webb Consolidated independent school districts, Texas A&M International University and Laredo Community College.

Students heard from local judges and attorneys why they chose the law as a career, their roles and responsibilities, and the challenges and rewards of the profession. The students also had the opportunity to shadow the attorneys and judges during their workday and experienced first-hand the live action that goes on behind the scenes and in the courtroom. Students accompanied civil attorneys to client meetings, observed pre-trial meetings between prosecutors and defense attorneys, and even watched attorneys bring motions before the court. Most students enjoyed shadowing legal professionals as part of the experience.

Members of the Webb County Bar Association and other judges and dignitaries participating with Judge Beckie Palomo were State District Judges Oscar J. Hale, Jose A. Lopez, Monica Zapata Notzon; Webb & Zapata Counties District Attorney Isidro Alaniz; Webb County Attorney Marcos Montemayor; Associate Judges Melissa Garcia, Selina Mireles, and Belinda Mendez; County Court at Law Judge Hugo Martinez; Texas Criminal Court of Appeals Judge Kevin Yeary; U.S. District Judges George P. Kazen and Marina Garcia Marmolejo; U.S. District Magistrate Judges J. Scott Hacker and Guillermo Garcia; U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar; U.S. Federal Public Defender Marissa Perez Garcia; Webb County Public Defender Virginia Aranda; and Webb County Community Supervision & Corrections Department Director Melinda Vidaurri.

For information on the Laredo Color of Justice Program contact the 341st District Court at 956-523-4325 or 341st@webbcountytx.gov. 

Mary Capello is a solo practitioner practicing in the areas of criminal, family, and immigration law.