Magna Carta College Scholarship

The law firm of Whittel & Melton is donating a $1,215 college scholarship to commemorate the signing of the Magna Carta.

In 1215, barons forced the unpopular king of England to sign the famous Magna Carta to establish peace. The charter promised the protection of church rights, protection for the barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown. Although its content has been diluted over the years, the Magna Carta continues to hold significant importance centuries after its creation. It embodies the principle that in society, no one, neither a king nor a queen, can escape the rule of law.

The Magna Carta does not explicitly grant the right to a jury trial; however, many people cite its clause about “the lawful judgment of his peers” as an important right related to the loss of liberty (such as arrest, imprisonment, or execution) and fundamental due process. It remains significant in our lives because it is the basis of the founding principles of our democracy and legal system, and influenced the enlightenment of early American colonists during the formation of the United States Constitution, which became the supreme law of the land in the new republic of the United States.

At Whittel & Melton, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients against corporate giants and powerful government agencies. For example, our injured clients, victims of car accidents, motorcycle and truck crashes are often pitted against billion dollar insurance companies who think they are above the law and force our clients to fight for damages that they are clearly entitled to under their policies. We fight for due process for clients accused in criminal court to stand trial against the government, state and law enforcement with their vast resources, holding them accountable to the U.S. Constitution that protects our civil liberties.

The Whittel & Melton Magna Carta Scholarship has a brief submission process. Applicants will be judged on their ability to answer clearly and concisely one of the questions below. The essay should be no more than seven (7) paragraphs and 750 words. Applicants shall apply via email at MagnaCarta@theFLlawfirm.com. Qualified applicants will be currently enrolled in an accredited College or University. Further, the applicant must attend a college or university in the following academic semester. Graduate students are welcome to apply.

Your email to MagnaCarta@theFLlawfirm.com needs to clearly state:

1. Your full name
2. Name of College or University
3. Mailing address
4. Phone number
5. Major or Subject Concentration
6. Dream Job when out of school

TOPICS:

• How has the Magna Carta shaped your daily life on campus?
• What is the Rule of Law, and why is it important in our daily lives?
• How has a jury trial made an impact on you or someone you know?
• Does a criminal justice system that revolves around plea-bargaining embrace our forefathers’ vision of a right to a jury trial by a group of his or her peers?
• The Magna Carta is credited with the first mention of no taxation without representation. How does this notion apply to contemporary society?

The deadline to apply for this scholarship is December 15th of each year.