The 2016 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest is sponsored by the Ninth Circuit Courts and Community Committee and the federal courts of the western United States.

The theme of the contest is the United States Supreme Court's landmark 1966 decision in Miranda v. Arizona. The court ruled that someone taken into police custody must be informed – prior to questioning – of their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The decision became the basis for what is now referred to as a "Miranda Warning" or a recitation of "Miranda Rights."

The contest has two components: 1) Individual students can express their thoughts and ideas in an essay of 500 to 750 words, and 2) Individual students or teams of up to three students may submit a 2-3 minute video presentation on the theme. Students may participate in one or both competitions.

For more information, please visit https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/civicscontest/