NCJ Number
56497
Journal
Judicature Volume: 62 Issue: 9 Dated: (APRIL 1979) Pages: 425-427
Date Published
1979
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 'STREET LAW' PROGRAM USES LAW STUDENTS FROM GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY TO TEACH PRACTICAL, BASIC LAW COURSES IN CITY HIGH SCHOOLS. THE TEXTBOOKS ARE NOW BEING USED IN ALL 50 STATES.
Abstract
THE 'STREET LAW' CONCEPT BEGAN IN 1971 AS A CLINICAL PROJECT OF TWO GEORGETOWN LAW STUDENTS. IN 1972 PILOT COURSES WERE TAUGHT IN TWO CITY HIGH SCHOOLS. BY 1974 COURSES WERE BEING TAUGHT IN ALL 16 CITY HIGH SCHOOLS AND SPECIAL CURRICULA HAD BEEN DEVELOPED FOR ADULT INMATES AND JUVENILES IN DISTRICT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. THE STUDENTS WHO TEACH THE PROGRAM RECEIVE SIX ACADEMIC CREDITS. THE STREET LAW STAFF CONDUCTS A WEEKLY SEMINAR FOR THESE TEACHERSS TO HELP THEM WORK OUT THE DETAILS OF THE PROJECTS ACCOMPANYING THE TEXTS AND TO HELP THEM WITH TEACHING METHODS. UNLIKE TRADITIONAL CIVICS COURSES, THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PRACTICAL LOCAL CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW AND ON THE EVERYDAY FUNCTIONING OF THE COURTS. IT ENDS WITH A CITY-WIDE MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION. PRACTICAL BYPRODUCTS OF THE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN AN INCREASED INTEREST IN THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS, INTERNSHIPS IN LOCAL COURTS FOR INTERESTED YOUNG PEOPLE, LEGAL EDUCATION FOR THE STAFFS OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, AND USE OF THE PROGRAM WITH JUVENILES ON PROBATION. MEMBERS OF THE STREET LAW INSTITUTE HAVE ORGANIZED SIMILAR PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. (GLR)