OPINION: Constitution Day coming to an APS school near you

In today’s world, where trust in institutions is low and misinformation spreads fast, understanding how government works is more important than ever.

At the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, we believe that civics education isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Our court isn’t just where legal decisions are made; it’s a place where people can learn, ask questions and feel more connected to the justice system.

For many, a first experience with the court might be something like a traffic ticket, a landlord dispute or a misdemeanor charge. These situations can be stressful and confusing, and often times, shape how people see the entire legal system. That’s why we’re committed to making the court more accessible, approachable and informative. This doesn’t take away from the seriousness of what we do — it adds understanding to it.

Civics education is one of the most valuable ways we can serve the public. Through court tours for school-age kids and adult groups, classroom visits, mock trials and community presentations, we break down what the court does, how it works and why it matters. Our judges and staff often volunteer their time to help members of the community understand everything from jury duty to individual rights.

One of our most impactful programs for students is mock trial. For many years, the Metropolitan Court has served as host to the annual Gene Franchini Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition. The program has expanded so much, that courtrooms in neighboring courthouses and southern New Mexico are now also used to accommodate the growing number of teams, which hit a record of 51 teams from across the state this past spring.

Mock trial allows students to step into the roles of attorneys, jurors and witnesses, while guided by real judges and court staff. These hands-on learning experiences build confidence, communication skills, critical thinking and respect for due process. Students leave not only knowing more about the courts, but with real-life skills they’ll use far beyond the classroom.

Our doors are open to schools year-round. Our judges volunteer to oversee annual mock trials for Classical Conversations Homeschool Group, Rio Grande High School and San Felipe De Neri Catholic School, to name a few.

Our outreach goes beyond young people. Through events like Metro Court’s Resource Day, our judges and staff meet with adults and families across the community. The event provides a one-stop shop for available resources and shares information on our life-changing specialty courts that work to address the root causes of criminal activity.

After hours, our judges and administrators meet with community groups to engage in meaningful discussion and to provide information on how the court system works, what rights people have and why judicial fairness matters to everyone.

What we often see during these meetings is powerful: People begin to trust the courts more when they understand them better. We want the public to see the court not as a distant institution, but as a team of professionals who care about fairness, service and transparency.

Looking ahead, we’re excited as we develop a new collaborative initiative with Albuquerque Public Schools: Constitution Day. Still in the early planning stages, this event will send Metro Court judges into elementary schools around Albuquerque to talk with students about the Constitution, what it is, why it’s important and how it protects everyone’s rights. These visits will be engaging, age-appropriate and designed to help kids feel connected to our democracy from an early age. Over time, we hope Constitution Day becomes an annual tradition in our local schools.

At Metro Court, we believe civics education should be part of the court’s everyday work, just like ensuring fairness and upholding the law. When people know their rights and how the court works, they’re more confident, informed and involved. And, when they see the court as a place built for the people, they become more engaged in shaping the future of justice in our community.

We’re proud of the role we play in resolving legal issues. But we’re just as proud to be educators, listeners and community partners. We invite you to visit, attend a program, ask questions, and see firsthand how Metro Court is here to serve Bernalillo County, not just with justice, but with connection and care.

In a democracy, knowledge is power, and we’re here to help share it.

Joshua J. Sánchez is the chief judge of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.