Curated OER
Inside the Courtroom
Twelfth graders explain the difference between a class action and civil law suit. In groups, they compare and contrast criminal and civil trials and review various cases. They determine the place of law in the American constitutional...
Curated OER
I Didn't Do It! (Is Anyone guilty Anymore?)
Students explore the concept of "reasonable doubt" in our criminal court system and compare it to "preponderance of the evidence" in the civil court system. They discuss the trials of OJ Simpson and other historical criminal defendants.
Curated OER
Ira Ritter, Et Al., V. Jerry And Ruth Stanton Lesson 2: What Does a Jury Do Anyway?
Young scholars investigate how a jury is chosen, and what the rights and responsibilities of juries are. They examine case studies to determine the role of the jury in both criminal and civil cases.
Curated OER
Writing Police Reports
Young scholars discover police procedures by filling out crime reports. In this government lesson, students discuss the benefits of historical reports pertaining to criminals and victims. Young scholars listen to an officer...
Curated OER
Fun with Jury Trials
Students take a true or false quiz about jury trials and then gain understanding of interesting facts. It is basically again, an outline that students have as the teacher lectures. The quiz would be for students to remember for further...
Curated OER
Mediation/Conciliation
Twelfth graders discuss the court system in Japan, and assume roles of family members and friends of air crash victims. They discuss whether they would file suit against airlines, compare methods of achieving justice in United States and...
Curated OER
5th Grade Social Studies
In this social studies learning exercise, 5th graders answer multiple choice questions about important court cases, World War II, Abraham Lincoln, and more. Students complete 14 questions.
Curated OER
Stolen Car Mini-Trial
Students participate in a mock trial about stolen cars. In groups, they take turns representing their clients and examining how a court operates. Other students act as the jury and share their reasons for the verdict they deliver.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Read All About It! Supreme Court Case Makes Headlines!
Students are assigned a landmark Supreme Court case to research. They construct a one-page newsletter on the case which include a summary of the case, two pictures and a short biography on one of the justices on the Court at that time.
Curated OER
Checks on Presidential Power
Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
Curated OER
Introduction to Mock Trials
Fifth graders participate in a mock trial and explore the vocabulary of a courtroom.
Curated OER
Respect
Students, in groups, exchange their opinions and experiences on issues around respect and anti-social behavior. They come up with approaches to youth crime prevention and discuss and present their own solutions.
Curated OER
The Concept of Wa III
Twelfth graders continue to compare the ways Japan and the United States resolve disputes. In groups, they are given a case in which they apply the concepts of wa to resolve the issues. They predict how the judge in the case dealt with...
Curated OER
Supreme Court Rulings
Become familiar with the constitution and amendments with an in depth opportunity to utilize media center resources. Groups of students focus on an amendment then make a presentation to the class.
Curated OER
It's All About Justice
Students examine a specific environmental concern to their local community. In groups, they explore how the justice system would deal with the problem by participating in a treasure hunt. They review the meaning of federal and state...
Other
Differences Between Civil and Criminal Law in the Usa
This website provides a well-organized introduction to the differences between civil and criminal law. Addresses topics such as "punishment," "burden of proof," "protections for criminal defendants" and "ignorance of the law." Examples...
Other
Law for Kids: Toons
Join animated characters like Marco and Kirk, teenagers in difficult circumstances and facing legal issues, and find out what consequences they must deal with. Students can learn to avoid the same mistakes. Teens' questions about the law...
iCivics
I Civics: Sources of Law
This instructional activity teaches students about the sources, types, and unique systems of law that exist in the United States. They learn about sources of law from the Constitution to local ordinances and also compare and contrast...
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: What's Law Got to Do With It?
This tutorial explains the types of laws in the legal system of the United States. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Other
Federal Judicial Center: What the Federal Courts Do
U.S. government-sponsored site that provides excellent information on the distinction between civil law and criminal law. It is part of a larger website that is dedicated to explaining the workings of the federal judicial system....
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Introduction to Laws
[Free Registration/Login Required] This lesson is based on an introductory lesson to laws. It was originally intended for high school Business Law, but can be used as a simple overview of laws in general.
Other
World Justice Project: What Is the Rule of Law?
Derived from internationally accepted standards, the World Justice Project's definition of the rule of law is a system in which the following four universal principles are upheld by four universal principles. These four universal...
Other
Judicial Learning Center: Types of Court Cases
Learn about the two types of court cases - criminal cases and civil cases - and what types of crimes and disputes fall into each category.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Iii: Categories of Contempt
An in-depth look at the different types of contempt of court, in the United States legal system.