UNIT 1: Introduction to Law and
the Legal System
Unit 1 provides a foundation and frame
of reference for the study of law.
 Within the context of American
government, students will gain a new
perspective on laws and explore the
crucial roles and duties of citizens,
legislators, attorneys, and judges who
work to preserve and strengthen our
system of justice.

UNIT 2: Criminal Law and
Juvenile Justice
Unit 2 provides an overview of criminal
law.
 It explores the nature of crime; current
issues in criminal law, including gangs,
guns, and computer crimes; and a
variety of crimes and defenses.
 Students learn about the criminal
process from the investigation phase
through sentencing and corrections.

The unit also explores the juvenile
justice system, and the debate over
whether juveniles should be dealt with
differently than adults.
 The final chapter in this unit focuses on
law and terrorism and asks students to
consider which civil liberties, if any, you
are willing to give up to feel secure in
the face of terrorism.

UNIT 3: Torts
Unit 3 provides an overview of tort law—
the largest branch of civil law.
 This unit highlights the differences between
tort law and criminal law; describes how
torts developed historically, presents
various circumstances under which a
person can sue or be sued; outlines the
processes by which torts are adjudicated;
and discusses the role of insurance in tort
law.

Tort law is also closely related to
economics and to public policy issues.
 The final chapter in this unit introduces
several cutting-edge issues, including
tort reform.

UNIT 4: Consumer and Housing
Law
Unit 4 introduces the practicalities of
consumer and housing law.
 It covers a host of topics—such as
contracts, consumer protection laws,
and credit—that will inevitably affect all
students directly in their daily lives.

The unit emphasizes both rights and
responsibilities of consumers, giving
students the tools they need to protect
themselves and to manage their
finances effectively.
 The features and problems throughout
Unit 4 guide students in developing the
skills that will make consumer and
housing law work for them.

Unit 5: Family Law
Unit 5 introduces students to the
numerous ways in which laws and
government affect them as individuals
and as members of families.
 In many ways, family life is private and
the law is kept at a distance.

 For example, the law will not interfere when
siblings disagree or when people decide
whether or not to have children.
At the same time, the law does impact
some aspects of family life, such as when
states set requirements for who may marry
as well as how people divorce, divide
property, and support children and former
spouses.
 Local, state, and federal governments have
rules about adoption and assisted fertility,
and they provide resources for children
who are abused, neglected, or in foster
care.

Governments also provide economic,
health, and educational benefits to
support individuals and families.
 This unit will challenge students to
answer basic questions about what
constitutes a family and how much
government should be involved in
families.

Mock Trial

Mock trials are designed to provide
students with knowledge of the judicial
system, legal process, and courtroom
procedure; to develop student
questioning, critical thinking, and oral
advocacy skills; to demonstrate the roles
of the various actors in the legal system;
and to provide the class with exposure
to legal resource persons such as
judges, attorneys, and law students.
Extra Credit per Chapter

Street Law website:
Self-Assessment quiz
www.streetlaw.org
 www. glencoestreetlaw.com
 www.streetlaw.glencoe.com


Email results to me:
amcfadden@osd.wednet.edu