By Jennifer Bloom and Sally Revak, Learning Law and Democracy Foundation
From Unit 1 of LegalWays, a curriculum designed to teach a variety of legal topics of interest to young people. This lesson is the first of four lessons on the legal system and it provides a brief introductory reading on the court system with guiding questions. Lesson can be followed by lessons on Juvenile Court, right to an attorney, and Conciliation Court (small claims court).
Objectives
Students will understand that there are different courts and that the courts handle different kinds of cases. (Lesson 1: Sources of Law and the Courts)
Students will know the basic functions and procedures of two courts that they might be involved in: juvenile court and conciliation court (Lesson 2: Juvenile Court and Lesson 4: Conciliation Court)
Students will know the importance of their right to an attorney and when the right is available to them. (Lesson 3: Your Right to an Attorney)
Grade Level
Grades 5-12
Time to Complete
One class period (Lesson 1)
Materials Needed