Courtroom to Schoolroom Programs

Classroom Speaker Program

Upon request, judicial officers visit schools to educate students about the judicial system and to promote positive impressions of the justice system and the judiciary. Four classroom presentations are available:

The courts as the third branch of government and the importance of jury service
Common issues for youthful drivers, including traffic laws and penalties
Juvenile law and you
Family law and you

A pamphlet describing these presentations is available for teachers and administrators. A booklet titled The Courts as the Third Branch of Government is also available for educators who wish to prepare students in advance. Judicial officers may additionally participate in school career days upon request.

To schedule a classroom speaker, contact judicialsecretaries@sjcourts.org.

Courthouse Tour Program

The court offers structured courthouse tours to encourage student field trips. Each tour includes a presentation by a judge and courtroom staff. When available, attorneys from the District Attorney’s Office and the defense bar may also participate.

Students learn about the roles of judges, attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and court reporters. The program is designed to provide foundational knowledge of the justice system and introduce students to potential legal and public service careers.

To schedule a courthouse tour, contact judicialsecretaries@sjcourts.org.

Youth Leadership Academy

The Youth Leadership Academy is a five-week summer program for high school students. Participants receive career mentoring and gain insight into the justice system. Eligible students may earn two units of general education college credit through San Joaquin Delta Community College.

For additional information, visit the Youth Leadership Academy website.

First Impressions Program

Modeled after an award-winning Los Angeles program, First Impressions focuses on students from Stockton neighborhoods where negative perceptions of the justice system may develop early. The program aims to provide a high-quality orientation to the justice system, foster positive impressions, and promote nonviolent dispute resolution.

Each participating fifth-grade class is assigned a team consisting of a judge, a prosecutor, and a defense attorney. The team conducts weekly sessions over five to seven weeks using age-appropriate lessons covering the three branches of government, constitutional rights under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, and the operation of the justice system.

The program culminates in a mock trial held in a Superior Court courtroom, featuring the fictional case of the Big Bad Wolf for the “hamicide” of two of the three Pig Brothers. Students receive First Impressions certificates and program materials following the trial.