YSU to Mark Constitution Day with Moot Court Event

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University’s moot court team will observe Constitution Day with a moot court event at noon Sept. 17 in the board of trustees meeting room in Tod Hall.

The YSU moot court team will present oral arguments, simulating a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, addressing two constitutional issues.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and will last an hour for arguments.

The first Constitutional issue to be addressed is whether forcing someone to decrypt a cellphone using facial recognition violates the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The second issue is whether convicting someone of involuntary manslaughter for encouraging another person to commit suicide infringes on the First Amendment right to free speech.

Several YSU alumni who were former moot court participants will attend the event to act as justices:

• Mellicent Costarella graduated from YSU in 2019 and attended law school at The Ohio State University. She currently works at Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, a nonprofit based in Columbus, Ohio.

• Catherine English graduated from YSU in 2014 and attended the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She now works at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in Columbus.

• William Goodwin graduated from YSU in 2021 and is attending the University of Akron School of Law. He works as a paralegal at Kisling, Nestico & Redick LLC.

• David Hofsess graduated from YSU in 2020 and attended law school at The Ohio State University. He now works as a law clerk in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

• Kevin Hulick graduated from YSU in 2012 and attended the University of Virginia School of Law. He is currently working as an associate at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP in Cleveland.

• Jacob Tomory graduated from YSU in 2020 and attended Yale Law School. He is currently a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

• Zachary White graduated from YSU in 2013 and attended the University of Minnesota Law School. He now works for Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs LLC.

A meet and greet with the alumni will be held after the event.

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