The law firm of Rittgers & Rittgers awarded four scholarships totaling $10,000 to Warren County high school students through its annual essay contest.

The winning students are Kayla Campbell of Carlisle High School, Elizabeth Evans of Waynesville High School, Jessica Gibson of Kings High School and Hannah Turpin of Lebanon High School.

Awards were handed out during a recent luncheon at the Rittgers & Rittgers law office.

The winning essays can be viewed at www.rittgersinjurylaw.com.

All Warren County high school students were invited to participate; winners were chosen based on their essays drafted in response to the following:

When entering the courtroom prior to the start of a criminal trial, jurors often have pre-conceived notions of the people involved.

They look at the judge as the person who will preside over the case and make certain rulings during the trial.

They look at the prosecutor as the person who will try the case on behalf of the government.

When they look at the person accused of the crime, the defendant, they rarely ask themselves, “I wonder what that innocent person is charged with?” More frequently, they think, “I wonder what that person did?”

Please discuss why this is wrong and the way in which this way of thinking affects your own civil liberties.

Rittgers & Rittgers is a family owned law firm with offices in Lebanon, West Chester Twp. and Cincinnati, concentrating on criminal defense, family law and personal injury.