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  • How to Visit
    • Location, Hours & Parking
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    • Schedule a Tour
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    • Summer Teacher Institute
    • Citizenship in the Nation for Scouts
    • Spring Art Competition
    • Program Highlights
    • Program Photos
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    • Student Center Landing Page
      • The Role of the Federal Courts
      • Organization of the Federal Courts
      • How Courts Work
      • Landmark Cases
    • Exhibit: Tinker v. Des Moines
    • Exhibit: Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
  • Educator Center
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    • Constitution Day Resources
    • Bill of Rights Day Resources
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How the Federal Courts Work

 

How Courts Work will take you and your students step-by-step through the judicial process of the federal courts.  From the types of cases, to the key players, to the courtroom itself, you’ll have everything you need to be thinking like the judge and jury.

Federal courts are here to interpret and apply the laws of the United States.  This includes determining guilt or innocence in criminal trials, as well as assigning appropriate punishment to those who are found guilty.  It also includes settling disputes between citizens that they can’t resolve on their own.  Each case proceeds through the court system in a consistent and orderly manner, allowing for both sides to be treated equally and fairly.

The student material for How Courts Work can be found in our Online Student Center.

 

Lesson Plans for How Courts Work:

Types of Court Cases
Use this section to teach about the difference between criminal and civil cases, and to find out which would be heard in federal court.  This lesson plan guides students through an evaluation of legal issues from well-known newspapers.
Lessons Plans:
  • "Understanding the Types of Cases"   (Grades 6-12)
The Judge and The Jury
Use this section to help students gain a deeper understanding of the right to trial by jury.  The lesson plans will also help you introduce the civic responsibility of jury duty by guiding students through the materials given to citizens called for federal jury duty.
Lessons Plans:
  • "Trial By Jury"   (Grades 6-8)

Video Activities:
"Jury Service Activity Sheet 1" (Grades 9-12) "Jury Service Activity Sheet 2" (Grades 9-12)
Your Day in Court
Use this section to help students gain a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system.
Lessons Plans:
  • "Criminal Justice"   (Grades 6-12)
Careers in the Court
Use this video activity to encourage students to explore the many different career possibilities in the courthouse.
Video Activity:
Career Videos (Follow this link to a landing page for the videos)
  • "Careers Activity sheet WORD"
  • "Careers Activity sheet PDF"
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