All Rise: The Justice System in Early Colonial America

Imagine it is the 1700s, in the colony of Virginia, and you find yourself hungry, desperate, and penniless. What do you do? Perhaps you might quickly snatch a loaf of bread from the local baker’s market stall, but you are quickly caught. What will happen to you next? In this introductory lecture, come be the judge and join us as we explore the framework of early colonial justice, with a focus on the court system, the types of crimes committed, and the range of sentences imposed by authorities.

Karyn Kenny-Dougherty is an attorney with the New York City law firm, DeMarco Law, PLLC, where she focuses on international matters and emerging technology. Previously, Ms. Kenny-Dougherty has served as Senior Justice Sector Consultant for the World Bank, as a U.S. Supreme Court Fellow, and as a Fulbright Scholar. As an Assistant United States Attorney, she specialized in prosecuting fraud cases and was an adjunct instructor for the University of Nevada, where she received an award for her outstanding teaching. Previously, Ms. Kenny-Dougherty prosecuted violent crimes as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Ms. Kenny-Dougherty holds B.A., M.A. and J.D. degrees and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Tickets are $15 to the general public and free for museum members. Members please call at (703) 548-1789 to reserve your tickets. It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance as space is limited.

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