Dozens of high school students gathered at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, Sept. 17, filling seats in the chambers of the Texas House of Representatives in recognition of Constitution Day. The Texas Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates invited the 11th- and 12th-grade students, who represented public and private schools across the state, to attend the annual James Otis Lecture series, developed by ABOTA to educate students on the U. S. Constitution.

The day included a college-level address from Nathan Allen, author of Arsonist: The Most Dangerous Man in America, which is a biography of the lecture’s namesake—early-American lawyer James Otis Jr.—who supported the initiation of the American Revolution.

Allen’s message to the students touched on juryless trials, writs and general warrants, and the Fourth Amendment, among other issues.

Similar sessions are taking place across the nation this week. For more information, go to abota.org.