Format
Introduction: Start out by asking why someone would become a lawyer. Why would the students want to become a lawyer. Myths and truths about what we see on tv and in movies. Clips from famous tv law shows and movies to show scenes dealing with the law. Materials would include some interesting cases and issues dealing with lawyer-client confidentiality and other ethical matters, criminal cases, and civil cases. Explain the essential parts of a trial: voir dire (jury selection), opening statement, direct examination, cross examination, rebuttal witnesses, objections, closing argument, jury instructions). A brief overview of what occurs for years before someone is sworn in as a member of the bar.
Body of the program: A discussion of interesting legal cases and Statutes and how the students would decide each case and why. Handouts would be sent in advance for the students to read. Each student would be a judge or a juror in deciding each case. Then, Howard would tell the class how the real judge or jury decided the case.
Conclusion: Each student would come away with a sense of what it takes to be a lawyer, the process of trying and deciding a case, and the various types of legal practices. Final questions are taken and answered.
Objectives
Participants will:
1. learn what steps to go through to become a lawyer
2. explore different areas of the law
3. learn about exciting cases and developments in the law both case law and statutory law
Standards Alignment
National Standards
National/Common Core Standards:
Featured National Standards:
1. Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards
College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7
Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Speaking and Listening
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1
Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.3
Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.
State Standards
Please reference the National Standards provided above.