NCJ Number
211472
Date Published
2006
Length
325 pages
Annotation
The lessons and materials in this manual are designed to be used as one component of a multifaceted youth court program.
Abstract
This manual focuses on helping youth court programs develop a law-related education (LRE) program as a sentencing option for offenders who come before youth courts. LRE provides youth with practical information about law and the legal system and encourages youth to become responsible, law-abiding citizens by promoting civic responsibility and community participation. It also influences youth to have more favorable attitudes toward adults by emphasizing contact with community resource people. The lessons may also be used to train youth court volunteers in making appropriate sentencing recommendations that address the causes and consequences of various crimes. A section on integrating LRE into a youth court program informs directors of youth court programs about some issues involved in incorporating LRE lessons into youth court programs. These issues include how to make LRE lessons fit into the purpose and goals of a youth court, building awareness and support for the LRE component of a youth court program, the mechanism for referring defendants to LRE lessons, and who should teach the lessons. Another section of the manual provides instructors with information about teaching LRE lessons. There are 15 lessons in the manual, each designed to be delivered during a class that lasts between 60 and 120 minutes. Although each lesson may be taught alone, it is best used with other lessons as a coherent LRE program.