This document presents three articles on law-related education (LRE) written either by or for students. Brent Halling, a senior at Castle High School in Newburgh, Indiana, opens the collection with an article on how due process protects rights. Halling explains the concept of due process and illustrates its reach through the case of Kenneth…

Course outlines, evaluation instruments, and background information to help teachers implement two legal education courses, one for junior and one for senior high school, are provided. The junior high course, "Youth and the Law," introduces basic legal terminology and criminal and civil processes, giving special attention to the concepts…

This law studies curriculum guide describes a course designed to provide secondary students with the opportunity to acquire an understanding of the U.S. legal process. The law studies course is intended to develop corresponding concepts and skills in conjunction with the content presented. The content areas of the curriculum include: (1)…

A brief review of the federal constitutional provisions and equivalent Texas Constitutional provisions for the criminally accused is provided in question and answer form. First Amendment rights related to such matters as freedom of the press, rights of students, picketing, distributing leaflets, state licensing, and obscenity are considered in the…

This facilitator's guide helps adults present young people a view of the U.S. justice system and to involve them in the idea of the legal process, understanding the rights and responsibilities of participating in their government, laws, and the justice system. The guide also helps them understand the consequences of breaking the law. The 18…

Designed to assist secondary teachers and school systems in classroom instruction, in staff development workshops, and in curriculum design, this manual contains classroom and resource materials that have proven useful in teaching legal education. Although developed specifically for educators in Georgia, the activities can easily be used by…

This K-12 handbook is designed for law and justice professionals who serve as resource persons and for classroom teachers working with resource persons. The book is arranged in four parts. The introduction provides an overview, explains the use of the handbook, presents background for the teacher on using community resources, and offers practical…

This document consists of 3 volumes of a serial devoted to law-related education (LRE) offering background information on a wide range of legal issues and teaching strategies for LRE. The title themes for the three volumes include "International Law,""Crime and Freedom," and "Civil Law". Background articles are…

This document consists of three issues of a serial devoted to law-related education (LRE) that offers background information on a wide range of legal issues and teaching strategies for LRE. The title themes for the three issues include: (1) "Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly, Petition"; (2) "Law in the New Information Age"; and…

Briefly summarizes the purpose and authority of a number of crime-fighting programs administered through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). These programs provide federal assistance in preventing and controlling crime and delinquency, and assisting crime victims. Includes a list of federal and state expenditures on crime. (MJP)

Designed for use by local lawyers and law students who agree to serve as resource persons in secondary school level law-related subjects, this guide has two main goals: (1) to provide law personnel with a brief summary of the law and sample cases for student use on topics of general interest, and (2) to introduce students to a sampling of the…

Designed for use in secondary school social studies classes, this guide provides activities for helping students understand some of the fundamental principles of government as well as its structure, politics, and effects on the individual. Information, articles, and cartoons from the Austin-American Statesman form the basis of the readings, along…

Outlines the dramatic changes in the laws covering drug activity over the last 20 years. Federal sentencing guidelines now mandate much longer prison terms depending on the drug and type of activity. Simultaneously, courts have expanded legal definitions and approaches involving prosecution. Discusses the controversy over these developments. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan that requires students to analyze an upcoming Supreme Court case concerning the constitutional rights of a convicted offender. Student handouts include a case study worksheet and an overview of the case. Students complete the worksheet, conduct small group discussions, and arrive at their own decisions. (MJP)

Reviews the protections afforded by the Constitution for defendants in criminal trials. These include the right to a jury trial (in cases of possible incarceration), an impartial jury, and the requirement of a unanimous verdict. Defends the use of plea bargaining as essential to an efficient criminal justice system. (MJP)