Clemente Juniors Are Taking The Law Into Their Own Hands!
Junior students at Roberto Clemente Community Academy have been exploring issues of power and justice within the legal system. With a focus on criminal justice this unit, students have been able to research court cases and apply their knowledge of legal concepts to real-life scenarios.
In past units, students have examined the Bill of Rights and Constitutional law with a focus on the rights of individuals. Students have been able to extend their knowledge of the amendments through the study of criminal law, including how criminals are charged and how a trial works. Students are also taking advantage of technology tools like Piktochart and Google Slides in order to investigate and create.
Recently, students also delved into the Steven Avery trial made famous by Netflix’s Making a Murderer. Students examined evidence from both sides of the case and ultimately had to choose to argue for the prosecution or the defense. In making their argument, students had to study photographs, testimonies, and other pieces of evidence, then create a presentation to defend their position and persuade others.
After an in-depth examination of Wisconsin v. Avery, students had the opportunity to explore issues of justice within the legal system, including wrongful convictions from eyewitness misidentification and forced confessions as well as the importance of legal representation. Along with actual laws and legal concepts, students are learning to think critically and reflect on related social justice issues.
As students wrap up their study of criminal justice, they will move into their final unit of the school year: civil law. In this last unit, students will build on their knowledge of constitutional and criminal law as they investigate how individuals resolve disputes through the civil court system. In addition to reading and watching trials, students will participate in a mock civil trial to gain a better understanding of how the process works.