The goal of this booklet is to assist debaters in developing problem-solving skills as represented in the 1976-77 debate topic: How can the criminal justice system in the United States best be improved? The sections of this document focus on the need for criminal justice reform; procedural steps in the criminal justice system; discussing or…

Describes the contemporary Chinese justice system highlighting the elements of "western" justice it embodies. Presents lesson plans, complete with objectives, procedures, and all required materials, for illustrating the system with two recent Chinese criminal cases which were heard in "people's courts." (JDH)

Presents a lesson plan calling upon students to consider U.S. law from a cross-cultural perspective. Explains that students participate in a mock hearing involving a culturally based defense to a charge of murder. Includes student handouts, arguments for and against the defense, objectives, and procedures. (SG)

Designed as supplementary reading in American government or social studies courses, this compilation of articles is intended to help students gain a better understanding of the judiciary's role in the Illinois legal system. The first of three sections contains articles about judges and the court system. The second section examines the criminal…

Designed to assist the public in understanding the judicial system and judicial process in Alabama, this handbook (1) presents an overview of Alabama's courts and their jurisdictions, (2) identifies the officers of the courts and the contributions each makes to the judicial process, and (3) narrates in general terms the procedures most common to…

This teaching guide outlines a nine week course on rights and responsibilities for use with junior and senior high school students in Wisconsin. The course consists of ten units and is intended to help students learn about the law, American justice, the Bill of Rights, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to…

Discusses fictional media portrayals of crimefighting, such as Superman and Dick Tracy programs, that often constitute civil rights violations. Describes a learning activity that calls upon students to observe and log such portrayals and evaluate them critically. Suggests sources of program materials and lists other activities on the topic. (SG)

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 guide is intended to advance high school students' understanding of the Iowa court system and the democratic principles on which it is based. The guide focuses on the Iowa district courts. Although 80% of law takes place in district courts, few national texts cover the district courts due to differences in district courts from state to state.…

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…

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…

The pamphlet is one issue of the PROBE series which gives British secondary school youth an overview of social issues and suggests questions for discussion. Information and issues about law and justice in England and Wales are discussed in this issue. Section one explains the differences between criminal law, which is enforced by the police, and…

Student and teacher materials are included in this book on Minnesota laws which directly affect the lives of high school students. The laws are grouped into six broad categories insofar as they are related to major areas of a student's life, i.e., civil law, home, school, marriage, the criminal justice system, and alcohol and drug laws. After…

Two social studies units, one on juvenile delinquency and one on crime and justice, are presented for the ninth grade level. The three-week juvenile delinquency unit focuses on special problems that minors face regarding the law. Students learn the difference between juvenile and adult courts and between status and delinquent offenses. In addition…