Learning about the Judicial Branch - From a Judge

What better way to learn about the Judicial Branch than from an individual who works in it? Duchesne’s Advanced Placement (AP) Government classes recently listened to Judge Gray H. Miller on his career and experience as a Senior United States District Judge. 

The exciting news spread that Judge Miller is senior Emme Prendki’s grandfather. Mr. Aaron Markham, AP Government teacher, was interested in his students hearing from a federal judge, considering that they were learning about impactful Supreme Court cases and Article III of the Constitution. 

After Judge Miller and Mr. Markham met on Grandparents and Special Friends Day in mid-November, they coordinated the date for the classes to listen to Judge Miller.

On November 29, inside the theatre, Judge Miller began by explaining his journey spanning from his days with the Houston Police Department and during law school, and eventually being appointed to the Federal Bench in 2006 by President George W. Bush. 

Judge Miller explaining the importance of precedent when deciding a ruling of a case to the AP Government classes. (Photo: Lynn Pennington)

In the previous weeks, the girls were focusing on Surpreme Court cases that concerned the Equal Protections Clause of the 14th Amendment. Interestingly, Judge Miller discussed a case he ruled on in 2019 that dealt with the same equal protection issues. Two men sued the Selective Service System asserting that the Military Selective Service Act, which only requires men to register when they turn 18 years old, violated equal protection principles. The question of the case centered on whether an all-male draft was unconstitutional.  

Funny enough, if you don’t know, Duchesne Academy is an all-girls high school. As you can expect, many of the girls wouldn’t be too happy if they were included in a military draft. As the grandfather of three granddaughters, Judge Miller explained how he wouldn’t want them going into combat, but he had to put his personal feelings aside to do his job. Miller concluded by sharing his ruling - an all-male draft was unconstitutional. While many girls jokingly groaned aloud, many understood the message he was conveying, that judges must put their own opinions to this side when they are determining the ruling.

After the end of his presentation, there was lots of time for the students to ask their questions. One student asked if being a judge was how it was in the movies. His overall answer was no. At the end of the meeting, Judge Miller gifted each student a mini pocket constitution. “I definitely think he was able to explain to my classmates what it’s like being a federal judge in our system today and the things he deals with,” said Emme Prendki. It was enlightening for the students to learn about the exact principles they had been studying in class, such as a defendant’s right to not testify and the concept of precedent, from a person who interprets the law for their profession.