Street Law for Youth Courts: Educational Workshops

Youth courts are juvenile justice diversion programs in which young people are sentenced by their peers. In 2006, Street Law, Inc. developed lessons for youth courts to use when training youth volunteers or for use as a sentencing option for youthful offenders.

The lessons are student-centered, interactive, and deal with topics for which young people frequently are arrested and referred to youth courts. The lessons help young people understand their rights and responsibilities, as well as the impact of their actions on their victims, their communities, and themselves. Through the lessons, young people build and practice skills they need to make appropriate decisions and to contribute positively to their communities.

This curriculum includes the following lessons:

• Crimes and Consequences
• Victims of Crime
• Serving on a Jury
• A Jury of Your Peers: What is the Role of Diversity in Juries?
• Vandalism
• Who Must Attend School
• Alcohol, Violence, and Drunk Driving: What Risks are You Willing to Take?
• Reducing Underage Drinking: What Do We Think Works?
• Bullying, Assault, and Sexual Harassment
• Shoplifting
• Resolving Conflict Through Negotiation
• An Overview of the Juvenile Justice System
• Options for Solving Conflicts
• Triggers: Skills for Anger Management
• What is the Intent of the Law?
• Laws Are Based on Values