On Tues., Sept. 20, in honor of Constitution Day, Court of Appeals Judge Jeffrey Howard came to speak to students and members of the Plymouth State University community. He is a greatly respected federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and a revered Plymouth State College alumnus.
According to Howard, the 1st Circuit Court will see about six thousand cases a year; Judge Howard will see about a thousand of these cases alone in the District Court of New Hampshire in Concord.
Howard, who is an avid advocate of justice and equality, versed the crowd on the significance of the U.S. Constitution and the prominent influence it has on him and his career. Oftentimes, it helps him to take a fresh look at the Constitution, refer to the language it uses, and take into consideration common laws. His favorite cases to work on, he said, are those that protect the rights of citizens.
Being one of the original Charters of Freedom, the Constitution serves as a primary source of guidance for Judge Howard every day. It is because of positions such as his own that the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights have remained timeless and essential documents, and why ‘We the People’ are still entitled to the essential rights and freedoms that were penned centuries ago.
Howard touched on the rewards of taking on a challenging case and coming to a solution that is supported by one of our fundamental charters, such as the Constitution. “It is a triumphant feeling,” said Howard, and one that provides him with a great sense of accomplishment.
Howard acknowledged his professors and his time at PSC as having prepared him and shaped him for the esteemed position he currently holds. It should be noted that Howard did not initially foresee himself working in the field of law and justice. “I was a history buff,” he said, but enrolled in courses like Real Estate Law and Political Economy, both of which assisted in changing his mind.
A professor of Howard’s once admitted to him that he doubted he would make it far in the field of law. Instead of being discouraged, Howard used this particular professor’s opinion as a vehicle for motivation. He was encouraged to be stronger and to try harder.
“I learned through various positions I have held that you just have to put yourself out there,” said Howard, who is proof that, with the right amount of zeal and passion, anyone can grow to do great things, and that it can all start right here.