- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Civics Education
- Collaborative Justice Courts
- Community Outreach
- Court Innovations—Kleps Awards
- Court Interpreters Program (CIP)
- Criminal Justice Programs
- Domestic Violence
- Equal Access
- Facilities
- For Families and Children
- Judicial Administration Fellowships
- JusticeCorps
- Tribal Projects
Related Links
2011 Law Day Events
The AOC, local bar associations, superior courts' legal access self-help centers and local law libraries and public libraries partnered to celebrate Law Day and AmeriCorps Week.
Concurrent events took place in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Los Angeles and San Diego counties the week of May 1-7, 2011.
The events included:
- free immigration clinics,
- debtor’s rights clinics,
- legal resources workshops,
- law library public records database research training sessions,
- rent board Q&A sessions,
- Hastings College of the Law legal advice and referral clinics,
- children’s storytime featuring local judges,
- mock trials for kids.
California JusticeCorps members staffed information tables at the local libraries, provided the public with general information about the courts' legal access self-help centers and the type of assistance they provide.
See this program featured in the latest issue of Innovations in the California Courts.
Law Day 2012
California courts are happy to collaborate with the libraries to help celebrate Law Day. Together, the judicial branch and libraries can increase access to information for Californians, particularly those most vulnerable and in need of assistance. Librarians are trusted guides to finding information. While many legal questions are best answered by a law librarian or a lawyer, public librarians can still provide valuable assistance to their patrons by making referrals to these resources.
Below is a list of libraries participating and free materials you can use to celebrate Law Day in YOUR library.
For more information or assistance in planning Law Day events, please contact:
Deirdre Benedict, California Administrative Office of the Courts deirdre.benedict@jud.ca.gov 415-865-8915
What Is Law Day?
In 1961 Congress issued a joint resolution declaring May 1 Law Day, a national day to recognize and celebrate our justice system and the rule of law,
The Law Day 2012 theme, “No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom,” provides an opportunity to highlight the crucial role of our courts and to foster a better understanding of the judiciary.
Why Should Libraries Participate?
- Get recommendations for Law Day book and resource displays for youth showcasing a court-related theme as well as suggested activities and events.
- Connect with local legal partners to bring resources to your library.
- Access free, customizable publicity materials to help advertise your events.
Law Day Events and Participating Libraries and Courts
Chief Justice Initiates Annual Law Day Event in Sacramento
On May 8, the Chief justice and members of the Judicial Council will meet with justice partners in Sacramento for the first annual Law Day event. The Imperial County Free Library is planning a discussion on the Law Day theme, with a subtitle “Framers Wisdom in Article III”, using the Penguin Guide to the Constitution. The event will be held on April 27 at 1:00 p.m.at the Heber Branch. The Library will also participate in an event held at the Superior Court of Imperial County on May 1 in which they will display the library's web-based resources and samples of self-help books that are available at the library.
The Riverside County Library System will hold a special Law Day-themed story times at locations in Riverside County. Judges from the Superior Court of Riverside County will read to children, and talk about the courts and what a judge does.
The San Jose Public Library will hold special Law Day-themed story times at six locations through the city. The story times will feature judges from the Superior Court of Santa Clara County reading to children.
The Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library will host a presentation by a Superior Court of San Joaquin County judge. The presentation is open to the public, but the library has invited a fifth grade class and an eighth grade class from a local charter school to hear the judge’s presentation on the theme of this year's Law Day, as well as entertain students' questions about the work of the judge, etc.
The following public Libraries will have information on the California legal system, self-help resources, and Law Day book displays in celebration of Law Day:
Benicia Public Library
Covina Public Library
Sacramento Public Library
San Francisco Public Library
Tehama County Library
Publicity Materials
Law Day Posters
Download a 8 1/2" x 14" poster that you can customize and print to publicize your Law Day Events.
Three versions of the poster are available that allow you to input your events.
Bookmarks
These 2"x 9" bookmarks have links to the California Courts Self-Help Website in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
You can download the bookmarks and print them, or you may order limited quantities (subject to availability) at no cost.
If you would like to request printed copies, please contact Deirdre Benedict at deirdre.benedict@jud.ca.gov or 415-865-8915.
Law Day Activity Ideas and Resources
Do you have suggestions for Law Day display books? Do you have a law-related book that works great for storytime?
Please help us build our catalogue and share with your peers!
Please contact Deborah Genzer at 415-865-8755 or deborah.genzer@jud.ca.gov
Below are ideas for various activities you could do to celebrate Law Day in your library. If you would like to pursue any of the items below, please contact your local court, or Deirdre Benedict for assistance.
Storytime - Have a Judge Read!
A judge can come and read a couple of books to the children and then talk to them about what a judge does. Books could be about the law or about the court, or basic principles about working out disagreements. Click here for a suggested list of books titles.
Self Help Services
Team up with your local bar and legal aid associations to provide one-on-one consultation, or workshops on specific legal issues.
See what local bar associations have planned.
Legal-themed Movie Night
Show a movie with a legal theme and perhaps lead a discussion group afterwards focused on key ideas. Potential films include:
- To Kill A Mockingbird
- Inherit the Wind
- 12 Angry Men
- Kramer vs. Kramer
- I Am Sam
- Philadelphia
For more ideas on Law-Related movies, visit the American Bar Association's 25 best legal films www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/the_25_greatest_legal_movies/
Coloring Books and Puzzles
Pre-school and up—What's Happening in Court? Coloring Book–Single copies of pages in the coloring book can be downloaded and printed in English or Spanish here
8 Years old and up—Word Search (Answer Key)
11 years old and up—Civics matching game
Careers in the Law
Invite representatives from different parts of the court—Judges, the District Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, probation officers, court interpreters, lawyers, jury managers, court clerks, and more— to talking about their experience and how they started their career.
Kindergarten-5th grade (Ages 4-11)
Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids. http://bensguide.gpo.gov/
Things to try: Go to K-2, Games and Activities, Select Interactive Games – there is a “coloring book” which uses the computer to color symbols such as a flag. Kids can pick the symbol and the colors.
4th grade – 9th grade (ages 10-14)
iCivics. http://www.icivics.org/
Things to try: Go to Supreme Decision and play a game together about the Supreme Court.
7th – 12th grade (ages 13 up)
Courts in the Classroom. http://www.courtsed.org/courts-in-the-classroom/
Things to try: There are animated graphic novel style stories about the courts and landmark cases. First show them the Fourth Amendment Landmark case of T.L.O. Then ask if the student would like to explore more and have them pick a topic.
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What's Happening in Court? An Activity Book for Children Who Are Going to Court In California. What's Happening in Court? – Interactive Version What's Happening in Court? – PDF version Que Sucede en la Corte? – Version Interactiva Que Sucede en la Corte? – PDF version |
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Kids and the Law: An A-Z Guide for Parents Addresses a number of issues important to parents of minor children, including: curfews, emancipation, drugs and alcohol, dress codes, children's privacy, truancy, juvenile court, crime (graffiti, weapons, fighting, etc.) and driving. |
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When you Become 18; A Survival Guide for Teenagers |
Mock trials can be a fun way to teach students about the law and the courts. If you plan to conduct a mock trial, please consider the following:
- A separate space is needed in which children and adult volunteers can conduct the mock trial, i.e. they can talk and move furniture to look like a courtroom.
- Two volunteers are needed to staff the mock trial; preferably those who have some experience doing mock trials or working with groups of children
- At least five school age children are needed who can read (ages 8 or 9 and up) are needed to read their parts in the script; more can be involved as jury, etc.
- School age children who can commit to 45 min. – 1 hour of time are needed
- You may want to use a mock trial script. The free scripts below, for elementary school age and middle school age children, are best led by a volunteer attorney or judicial officer.
We thank Judge Joan Weber and Judge Richard G. Cline of the Superior Court of San Diego County and staff at the Superior Court of Contra Costa County for providing these scripts.
- Early Elementary – Mock Trial A
- Early Elementary – Mock Trial B
- Early Elementary – Mock Trial C
- Grades 4 and 5 – On My Honor (this trial includes a vocabulary list, vocabulary match worksheet, a crossword puzzle, word search, and detailed instructions)
- Grade 5 and 6 – Salem Witch Trial Mock Trial
- Grade 5 and 6 – Murder Self Defense Mock Trial
- Grade 7 and 8 - Case of the Stolen Car
Verdict Form
Free and Low-Cost Legal Online Resources for You and Your Patrons
California Courts Online Self-Help Center
Find information, tools, and resources to help you with many common legal issues
www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp
Centro de ayuda en línea de las cortes de California
Encuentre información, ayuda y recursos para ayudarlo con muchos temas legales
www.sucorte.ca.gov
LawHelp California
Helping Californians find legal aid referrals & self-help resources
www.lawhelpcalifornia.org
California Public Law Libraries
Find self-help services, legal links, find your local law library, how to do legal research and AskNow-Ask questions and get answers from County law librarians in real time
www.publiclawlibrary.org/
California Court and Library Partnership
Find legal research and reference links, in addition to links to courts, law libraries, and bar associations in each California county
www.calegaladvocates.org/libraries/
The American Bar Association provides a wealth of resources to help celebrate Law Day, including:
Sample Law Day Documents
Suggested Ativities and Games
Press Releases
Proclamation for State and Local Governments
Public Service Announcements
Go to: www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/initiatives_awards/law_day_2012.html
The State Bar of California offers free consumer pamphlets and publications that address a wide variety of legal issues, including:
Guide to the steps to take when you buy a home, get married, have a baby, turn 18, need a lawyer, want a divorce, write a will, and more.
Go to: http://calbar.ca.gov/Public/Pamphlets.aspx