Garfield Public Schools Social Studies Curriculum Criminal Justice

Transcription

1 Garfield Public Schools Social Studies Curriculum Criminal Justice Revision Committee: David Gray Eric Giamongo Giovanni Luciano Meghan DeCarlo Donald Campeau Daniel Rigoglioso Doug Fede George Ibach Emilia Kata-Kardjian Final Revision Date: August 1, 2012 Garfield Board of Education Dr. Kenneth Conte, President Mr. Tony Lio, Vice President Mr. Anthony Barckett Mr. Salvatore Benanti Mr. Richard Giacomarro Mr. Nikolce Milevski Mr. Charles Nucifora Mr. Edward Puzio Mr. Jeffrey Stewart Administration Nicholas Perrapato, Superintendent Dr. Lester Richens, State Monitor Mr. Tom Egan, Interim Business Administrator Curriculum Supervisor Alexandra Bellenger Assistant Curriculum Supervisor: Social Studies Brian Cameron Board Adoption Date August 27, 2012 Resolution #

2 Unit Title: Introduction to Law and Legal System Duration: 2-3 Weeks This unit will introduce students to the American legal system and its processes. Issues addressed will include laws and values, human rights, and kinds of laws. Chapters will also focus on lawmaking and the Congress, the court system, citizen advocacy, voting, settling disputes out of court, and the role of lawyers. & Executive Branch The Executive Branch, one of the three parts of the federal Congress government, is comprised of the President, the cabinet, Advocacy and the various government agencies. Voting The Congress, one of the three branches of the federal Mediation government, is made up of the Senate and the House of Settlement Representatives. Through the art of advocacy, citizens can encourage a society to focus on an important issue or idea. Voting is a privilege granted to citizens aged 18 and older by the U.S. Constitution. Mediation is a process by which people attempt to resolve disputes A settlement occurs when the parties agree to a compromise What is the process of how a bill becomes a law? What are the roles of the president and Congress in the passage of laws? Why does the United States have the process of judicial review? Why must the government make absolutely certain that laws are clear and easily understood? How are crimes classified? What are the similarities and differences between felonies and misdemeanors? What are the differences between property crimes, violent crimes?

3 Determine the process of introducing bills to congress and passing laws. Examine the role of the Congress in passing laws. Assess the impact of the Presidential veto, the role of committees, and the process of debating on how a bill becomes a law. Critique the clarity of laws and statutes. Identify how crimes are classified. Differentiate between felonies and misdemeanors. Identify the differences between property crimes, violent crimes, motive and liability? Board outlines, power point presentations, and worksheets can be utilized to provide examples for learning. Various instruction should include: Basic Vocabulary skills, reading exercises, video presentations, and discussion.

4 Unit Title: The Role of the Legislature Duration: 2-3 Weeks Criminal law covers an array of crimes committed by adults and the means by which law enforcement investigates and prosecutes offenders. Juvenile Justice focuses on similar aspects from the perspective of a youth offender. & Compromise In order for a bill to be passed into law, Congress people Bicameral must agree. One key component of the law-making process was the two house system. What are the two houses of Congress? What are the roles of the House of Representative and the Senate in passing laws? What are the similarities and differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate? How does a bill begin? What role do committees in the House and Senate play in the preparation for and passing of a bill? How do the House and Senate consider a bill? In what ways can the president act on the bill? How does a bill become a law? How does a veto differ from a pocket veto? Why is Congress divided into two houses? What is gerrymandering and what is its effect on the legislative system? Describe the parts that make up the legislative branch of government. Differentiate between the House and the Senate in reference to length of term, qualifications, leadership, and committee organization. Demonstrate how a bill becomes a law. Analyze the basis for establishing a bicameral Congress.

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6 Unit Title: Citizen Involvement in the Legal System Duration: 2-3 Weeks During this unit of study, students will analyze the duties and responsibilities of US citizens in the legal system. Specifically, students will relate the origins of individual rights and responsibilities previously learned to situations in which the citizen participates in the legal system. & Responsibility All citizens in the United States have certain Duties responsibilities that they must perform in order to be an Citizenship active participant in the United States legal and political system. Although the required duties of citizens are minimal, they are mandatory; specifically all citizens are expected to follow all laws. Earning citizenship in the United States is akin to signing a contract with the government in which the citizen agrees to follow the laws. What law or ordinance do you feel should be changed or amended within our community and why? What problem or issue in our community needs to be improved by a law or policy? What current issue on the federal level concerns you most? After you turn 18 years old, will you exercise your right to vote? Analyze the responsibilities associated with being a citizen or resident of the United States. Determine the duties of a citizen. Draft a letter to a government official asking for his or her help to address a legal issue. Students will create an initiative in which they choose a law or policy that needs to be changed or removed, begin a petition, and then present it in writing to a member of the local, county, state, or federal legislature.

7 Unit Title: Legal Methods of Solving Disputes Duration: During this unit of study, students will determine how disputes are resolved in the courts. First, students will determine how a dispute can be resolved prior to going before a judge. Once a case goes to court, the procedure will be examined. & Negotiation The process of working through all aspects of disputes can Mediation save both parties much time and money. Settlement Prior to going before a judge, an arbitrator works to resolve the issue through negotiation. The end result is for a settlement to be reached that is comparable to both parties. Which processes use a neutral third party? What is the importance of finding a non-biased opinion? Determine the process of settling disputes using negotiation, mediation, arbitration or settlement. Examine how these methods save time and money for both parties Discuss the process of resolving disputes from informal talk to court action. Quiz: 3_serving_on_a_jury.pdf Related Media Link(s) tribal courts 1 tribal court system 2 native american tribal legal resources federal court systems state court systems appeals courts

8 the adversary system US international law and justice

9 Unit Title: The Role of Lawyers Duration: 2-3 Weeks During this unit of study, students will analyze the role of lawyers in the legal process. Students will determine the classification of lawyers based on the type of law they practice. Specifically, students will identify how individuals determine which lawyer is to be hired depending on the case. & Privilege In order for a lawyer to gain the trust of his client, the communication between the two must be protected. When should you make first contact with a lawyer? What resources are available for locating quality lawyers in your area? What are the various legal documents you might turn to a lawyer to draft? Why is preserving attorney client privilege crucial to the legal process? Does attorney client privilege protect the client or the lawyer representing them? Identify various types of lawyers working in the United States today. Assess the roles lawyers play in our society. Analyze examples of the types of jobs lawyers perform including private practice, government, corporate, and public interest. Determine how a lawyer is chosen for a specific case. Describe the nature and necessity of the Attorney-Client Relationship and Attorney Client privilege.

10 Unit Title: The Nature of Crime in the United States Duration: 2-3 Weeks During this unit of study, students will analyze the characteristics of those who commit crimes. Specifically, students are researching to determine if there are any patterns or similarities among those who consistently commit crimes. Additionally, students will debate whether or not socioeconomic factors influence those who commit crimes. & Criminology There is much debate as to the factors that cause people to Socio-economic indicators commit crimes. Data has shown that socio-economic conditions are strong indicators to determine who commits crimes. Who decides what constitutes a crime? What are the most commonly committed crimes? What are the strongest socio-economic indicators of who will commit a crime? What factors influence crime rates, and why do many people disagree about the causes of crime and the best solutions to the problem? What is legislative intent? What role does intent play when drafting new laws? How is the need for a new law recognized? How does a law go from an idea to a new piece of legislation? How do U.S. laws compare with laws in other countries? Assess the nature of the criminal mind and provide examples of how crime can be something that a person does or fails to do in violation of the law. Analyze how the government establishes penalties for criminal behavior. Identify factors that influence crime rates. Debate the causes of crime and the best solutions to the problem. Identify the factors that have caused crime on high school and college campuses to become a serious problem. Assess the cost of crimes and determine who pays for those crimes.

11 Interpret the role of the Legislative Branch in creating laws. Relate the responsibilities of the Judicial Branch in establishing penalties for such behavior to the role of the legislative branch in creating laws.

12 Unit Title: Classification of Crimes Duration: 2-3 Weeks During this unit of study, students will examine the role of punishments in the criminal justice system. In so doing, students will analyze the different classifications of crimes and determine how punishments ought to be assessed. & Severity The harshness of a crime determines the punishment that Punishments will be handed out. Deterrence In order for punishments to be effective, they must be fair, hold the guilty accountable, and be compatible with the severity of the crime committed. In many instances the purpose of punishment is to ensure that the guilty party does not commit the same act again. What is the guilty state of mind? What role does motive play in solving crimes? Describe how elements are used in determining what crime the suspect(s) will be charged with. Give examples of felonies and misdemeanors. Demonstrate an understanding of how the American Legal system separates crimes into two categories based on their severity Compare and contrast the different punishments attached to different crimes. Identify the factors which make a crime a felony or a misdemeanor. Examine statistics that provide a demographic of those who commit felonies versus misdemeanors and in what geographic area.