Foundations of Law and Courts

This unit introduces students to the sources and structure of law, differences between civil and criminal systems, basic court processes, contract principles, dispute-resolution options, and the practical role of attorneys. It also covers essential family- and employment-law topics (marriage, parentage, custody/child support, guardianship, adoption, surrogacy, child care, job applications and conditional offers) to prepare learners for more advanced procedural and advocacy tasks in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze factual scenarios to identify sources of law, distinguish between civil and criminal issues, and determine the appropriate court systems and basic procedures for resolution
• Evaluate and compare dispute-resolution options (negotiation, mediation, arbitration, small claims/people’s court, and litigation) and select appropriate strategies for resolving common legal problems
• Demonstrate the ability to locate, assess, and engage legal representation by evaluating attorney qualifications, explaining the attorney-client relationship and ethical considerations, and preparing a client intake checklist
• Apply family- and employment-law fundamentals to real-world situations by summarizing rights and responsibilities related to marriage, dissolution, parentage, custody/child support, guardianship, adoption, surrogacy, child protection, and by evaluating legal issues arising from job applications and conditional offers