Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon and the City School District of Albany today announced the return of Legal Lives, a dynamic and collaborative initiative that introduces 5th grade students to the criminal justice system through lessons and mock trials led by 46 DA office staff members and Albany Social Studies teachers.
The Legal Lives curriculum is designed to enhance students' understanding of the law and seeks to prevent juvenile delinquency by developing critical and analytical thinking skills about the legal system before students reach middle school.
“Our newly formed Restorative Justice Bureau is dedicated to diverting people away from the criminal justice system, so it just made sense to re-establish Legal Lives as a way to reach youth and educate them about the perils of crime,” DA Kindlon said. “I think we can inspire kids by showing them that there’s an entire patchwork of professionals who are rooting for them to be successful members of society.”
Legal Lives was founded in 1990 by Charles J. Hynes, the District Attorney of Kings County, in response to the rising incidence of drug-related and bias-related crimes. Former Albany County District Attorney Sol Greenberg established an off-shoot of the program locally in the early 1990s, but the program fell dormant in recent years.
"Legal Lives will build trust and establish pathways to justice in our community," said City School District of Albany Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter. "Teaching our students about the law and civic responsibility now will also grow a new generation of judges, attorneys and police officers to serve, protect and advocate in Albany County."
The 35-week-long program kicked off this week and will run through May. Nine 5th grade Social Studies classes are participating: Three classes at Albany School of Humanities (teacher Kelsey Ruzza), two classes in Montessori Magnet School (Krissy Bruce), two classes in Pine Hills Elementary School (Mikayla Shade), and two classes at Sheridan Preparatory Academy (Caryn Dwyer).
DA Kindlon, Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs), Crime Victims Unit support staff, Criminal Investigations Unit, outreach and administrative staff will help lead the classes along with the teachers. Defense attorneys, law enforcement members and local judges will also be guest speakers in some of the hour-long sessions taking place once a week.
Students will participate in skits and mock trials, taking on various roles to explore the judicial process concerning drug possession, shoplifting, harassment, assault, gun violence, drug possession and domestic violence.
Students will explore the choices people make that lead them to commit crimes. The lessons illustrate how students can make the right choices for their future and stay away from illegal behavior.
