Answers to FAQs regarding the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) are outlined below. Can't find an answer to your question? Check out our general FAQ, organized by topic.
What is the Forum on Law and Crime Scene Investigation?
The National Youth Leadership Forum on Law and Crime Scene Investigation introduces the nation’s highest achievers to careers in the legal fields and forensics. Since 1995, this six-day program has offered students the opportunity to directly participate in and personally observe the legal process in action at courthouses, interact with faculty from renowned law schools and meet professionals from some of the nation’s top law firms. Attending students test the fundamentals of law through simulations and engage in debate over controversial legal issues actually facing our country today.
Nationally recognized legal professionals address Forum on Law and CSI students, provide rare insight on current issues and detail the paths they took to rise to the top of the legal profession. Students directly participate in stimulating question and answer sessions with these distinguished professionals. Area law schools also open their doors to forum students and share the excitement of a legal education as seen through the eyes of law students, professors and admissions officers. In addition, local and federal courts receive students attending the Forum on Law and CSI. Past site visits to the U.S. Supreme Court have included a welcome by the resident judicial fellow. On special occasions individual Supreme Court Justices themselves have met with Law and CSI students.
Who is eligible to participate in the Forum on Law and CSI?
Scholars attending the Forum this summer must be in the 10th through 12th grade during the 2009/2010 academic year.
How many sessions are there? What are the dates?
The Forum on Law and Crime Scene Investigation is held twice a year, with 3 sessions held in the fall and 2 during the summer semester. Students have the opportunity to enroll in one possible session date each cycle. Check the left-hand navigation bar for updated session information.
How many students will be in each session?
There are approximately 400 students enrolled in each forum session.
What does tuition cover?
Tuition covers hotel accommodations, all breakfasts and dinners, charter bus transportation during the Forum (students are responsible for their own travel to and from Washington, D.C. as well as a $40 roundtrip shuttle fee from the airport to the hotel), instruction, speakers, program materials, supervisory personnel and all activities throughout the six-day program. Students will need money for lunches and any incidentals they wish to purchase.
Who are past participating speakers at the Forum?
Past participating speakers have included:
- Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court.
- Nadine Strossen, President, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); Professor of Law, New York Law School.
- Eric H. Holder, Jr., Partner, Covington & Burling; Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice (1997-2001); U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia (1993-1997).
- Beth A. Wilkinson, Partner, Latham & Watkins; Prosecutor, Oklahoma City bombing case.
- Professor Jonathan Turley, J.B. Maurice Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law, George Washington University.
- Robert L. Shapiro, Partner & Chair, Business Crimes Practice, Christensen, White, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro, LLP.
- Judge Kenneth Starr, Kirland & Ellis, Partner, Adjunct Professor, New York School of Law.
What is the ratio of staff members to students?
1-to-16.
Who are the faculty advisors?
Forum faculty advisors will have an array of diverse backgrounds, and many will be first or second year law students, lawyers, retired lawyers or teachers. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required of all faculty advisors. The faculty advisors attend a mandatory pre-program training session where they learn the law curriculum and facilitation techniques. NYLF performs complete background checks on all of our staff.
What kind of spending money will scholars need at the Forum?
NYLF recommends scholars bring approximately $8 to $10 a day for lunch, souvenirs or other incidentals.
Where will students stay?
Students attending summer sessions will stay at The Westin Tysons Corner hotel in Falls Church, VA, just outside of Washington, D.C.
What if my scholar loses something, or forgets to bring a personal item home after the Forum?
All lost and found items are retained by staff for 2 weeks following the forum session. Items of higher monetary value are retained for 30 days after the forum session concludes. After 30 days, all items remaining are discarded or donated. We strongly recommend following the advice provided in the suggested packing list, which includes placing your scholar’s name on all personal belongings that he or she will be bringing to the Forum.
Is there a charge for the shuttle service from the airport?
There is a one time $40.00 fee for roundtrip shuttle service. No refunds are given to participants who only utilize the shuttle one way, and they are therefore encouraged to utilize the shuttle to get from and back to the airport(s). Students should not make travel arrangements until they have been officially notified of their enrollment by NYLF. Details about the airport shuttle service will be sent along with your notification of enrollment in the Forum.
