No matter who you are, crime affects your life. As a student, your school might be vandalized or your wallet stolen. As a taxpayer, you will be expected to contribute money in the fight against crime or to repair the damage it does. As a voter, you will be asked to chose candidates based in part, at least, on their views about solutions to crime. Everyone agrees that crime is a serious problem. Few agree about its causes or solutions. Teachers can help students explore these concepts in this unit plan with accompanying texts.
U.S. v. Drayton (2002)
During a random search, must police officers advise passengers of their right to not cooperate when asked to consent to a search? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2002.
U.S. v. Jones (2012)
Can police attach a GPS unit to a suspect’s car without a warrant? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2012.
Voices of History
Voices of History is a collection of eight Bill of Rights Institute curriculum resources including Being An American, Preserving the Bill of Rights, Founders and the Constitution, Supreme Court DBQs, Liberty and Security in Modern Times, Religious Liberty: An American Experiment, and Heroes and Villains. Teachers will have free access to each resources’ lessons plans and handouts.
Making Civics Real
A multimedia workshop for high school civics teachers. It includes 8, 1-hour video programs, a print guide to the workshop activities, and a website. The goal of this workshop is to give teachers new resources and ideas to reinvigorate civic education. The series presents authentic teachers in diverse school settings modeling a variety of teaching techniques and best practices in a variety of social studies courses from a 9th-grade government/civics/econ course, to a 12th-grade law course
Virginia v. Moore (2008)
Is a warrantless search for driving with a suspended license reasonable even if it is not permitted under state law? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2008.
Wilson v. Layne (1999)
Are news media ride-alongs during the execution of a warrant in violation of the Fourth Amendment? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 1999.
Wyoming v. Houghton (1999)
May police officers, with probable cause to search a car, inspect personal items belonging to its passengers without violating the Fourth Amendment? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 1999.
Yarborough v. Alvarado (2004)
When deciding whether a suspect is “in custody” must an officer consider the suspect’s age and previous history with law enforcement? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2004.
Drug Testing in Schools
This lesson calls for students to take a stand on whether there should be drug testing in schools or not. Students stand along a spectrum – ranging from “test everyone” to “never test anyone” – to represent their position on the issue. As the class discusses and debates, students are encouraged to consider opposite views, and can move along the spectrum to reflect changed opinions. The lesson concludes with a conversation about the possible outcomes of the policies brought up during the session.