Supreme Court Justice Augie Agate spent some time talking to students in the 5-8th grades at the Ave Maria Catholic Academy on Wednesday morning.
Supreme Court Justice Augie Agate of Howard Beach, returned to the school he taught at before entering a legal practice and gong on to be a judge.
Having been invited in honor of Law Day, the judge detailed his career as a lawyer and then, subsequently as a judge, serving in both he criminal and civil courts.
Although Law Day is not a government holiday, but many local bar associations hold luncheons on May 1st and legal professionals may visit schools to discuss topics such as justice or the liberties provided for by the United States Constitution and also talk to students about the American legal system.
Justice Agate told the students of his time as a social studies teacher at their school and how it was in fact the last job he held before becoming a lawyer 44 years ago.
He explained how May 1st was chosen as Law Day as a measure to counteract the practice of Communists all over the world who would get together on May 1st and celebrate communism through marches and demonstrations.
Students were treated to a rundown of the branches of government as well as the different between criminal and civil courts.
Judge Agate recounted stories of his time on the bench and shared the profiles of some of his more famous cases with the students.
After a little prodding, the students unleashed a bevy of questions. They asked about everything from the details of attending law school, why judges wear robes, how much money do lawyers make and if any of his cases were ever on TV. After the questions the judge offered some parting words of advice.
“The best advice I can give any of you,” the judge said, “is to always be ready to work and to be prepared. If you realize you have to sacrifice when you’re young you will always be successful.”
By Patricia Adams
