Street Law in Schools sponsored by First Defense Legal Aid (FLDA)

Street Law in Schools
sponsored by
First Defense Legal Aid (FLDA)
1111 N. WELLS ST. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60610
1-800-529-7374 . www.first-defense.org


STREET LAW IN SCHOOLS

Key Objectives


First Defense Legal Aid (FLDA) offers free Street Law workshops for students, teachers, and families. The workshops are designed for one class period and are appropriate for grades 5-12. FDLA presenters cover
what our rights and responsibilities are during police encounters and will provide introductory and review
materials to teachers who wish to integrate the lesson into their curriculum.



Fourth Amendment Objectives: Students will understand the difference between lawful and unlawful
searches and seizures. Students will learn how to act responsibly during a police encounter and what to do
if they are stopped or arrested.



. Specifically, students will learn…


a. They do not have to go to the police station voluntarily to answer questions;
b. The difference between being a witness and being a suspect;
c. What rights witnesses and suspects have;
d. They should not run from the police because they could be charged with resisting arrest;
e. They should not fight with police, teachers, or other school personnel, because they could
be charged with resisting arrest and/or aggravated battery;
f. There is less constitutional privacy protection available to students in school, particularly in
searches of their person or property.


Fifth/Sixth Amendment Objectives: Students will understand their constitutional rights to remain silent
and to counsel, including their right to have a lawyer present with them at the police station. Students will
learn how to exercise their rights and call the Hotline to request the free and immediate legal assistance.


. Specifically, students will learn…


a. They are only required to answer certain limited police questions about their identity;
b. They are not required to, and usually should not, answer other police questions without
talking to a lawyer first;
c. They should be clear in telling the police that that they do not want to talk, and then they
should remain silent;
d. If they tell the police they do not want to talk without a lawyer, the police should stop
questioning them until a lawyer arrives.


ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) CORE STANDARDS GOALS:


1. Writing: The students will demonstrate their ability to describe their constitutional rights during
police encounters in plain language on worksheets completed with instructor and peer support.


2. Speaking & Listening: The students will demonstrate their ability to gain information from
listening to direct lecture. The students will demonstrate their ability to collaborate with other
students to evaluate and solve hypothetical problems related to the legality of searches and seizures.


3. Language: The students will grow their vocabularies through conversation, direct instruction, and
reading. The students will demonstrate their ability to determine word meanings through
conversation and worksheets completed with instructor and peer support.

Want to add this workshop to your program?

Contact:

Caitlin K. Patterson

Staff Attorney, First Defense Legal Aid

caitlin@first-defense.org / 312.330.5707

1111 North Wells Street, Suite 308A

Chicago, Illinois 60610

www.first-defense.org

CHICAGO POLICE CUSTODY HOTLINE: 1-800-LAW-REP-4 / 1-800-529-7374