NCJ Number
8680
Date Published
1972
Length
46 pages
Annotation
OUTLINE OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURT SYSTEM AND THE SOURCES OF OUR LAWS - COMMON LAW, THE CONSTITUTION, STATE LEGISLATURES, CONGRESS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES.
Abstract
WHY DO WE HAVE COURTS. WHERE DO LAWS COME FROM. THESE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS POSED AND ANSWERED IN THIS INTRODUCTORY BOOKLET FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. ALSO COVERED ARE THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED AND THE PROCEDURES USED IN A CRIMINAL TRIAL, SUCH AS JURY SELECTION AND THE QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES. THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS ADDITIONAL STUDENT ACTIVITIES - A MOCK TRIAL, VISITS TO LOCAL COURTS, AND RESEARCH ON LAWS WHICH THE STUDENT FEELS SHOULD BE ENACTED OR CHANGED - WHICH WOULD FURTHER THE STUDENTS' UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM. (SNI ABSTRACT)