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.
Zelman v. Simmons Harris (2002)
Is a Cleveland scholarship program that allows parents to opt to send their children to religious private schools unconstitutional? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2002.
National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra (2018)
Does a state law requiring crisis pregnancy centers to post or disseminate information about the availability of contraceptive and abortion services violate the First Amendment?
Victoria Goes to Court
This is a children’s book by Benny Agosto, Jr. and his daughter, Victoria Agosto, and its story describes the importance of the legal system to fighting injustice.
Choosing an Impartial Jury
In this lesson, students are asked to select from a list of potential jurors those most likely to be fair and impartial in a trial of Goldilocks v. The Three Bears. Students are prompted to justify why each juror they chose would be impartial, and so gain an understanding of the challenges associated with selecting an impartial jury.
People Who Make Courts Work
Students are presented with a situation in which a person is accused of committing a crime. They will then identify the people in the courtroom who are responsible for ensuring due process in determining the person’s innocence or guilt.
Salem Witch Trials
This lesson centers around a short play in which the accused person is given an obviously unfair trial. Students are asked to discuss why they think the trial is unfair, and propose measures to rectify the problems they found. It leads naturally into a discussion of why we have due process guarantees under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Seeking Facts to Solve Mysteries
In this lesson, students will discuss the difference between fact and opinion. They will role play a mock trial, decide the case, and justify their decision. Students will discuss why facts are more reliable than opinions, and understand why courts rely more upon facts than opinions.