Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County
PROGRAMS
Orange County Career Forum
Orange County Career Forum – This one-day conference, held in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education, links 1,100 Orange County high school students with local, prominent business professionals. Workshops range from traditional corporate and entrepreneurial business opportunities to managing credit and preparing for successful interviews.
Over the years, Orange County high school students - particularly those from low-income communities - learn about various career options. Many students are, unfortunately, from families who did not have the opportunity to attend college, making these youth first-generation college students.
Law Day
Law Day Conference – This one-day conference offers workshops on topical Constitutional issues, such as “Should teens be tried as adults?” or “Safety vs. Privacy – security measures on campus.” Over 500 students are challenged to debate their rights and how these rights are associated with civic responsibility.
Orange County high school students become engaged in Constitutional and legal issues that affect their lives.
Constitution Day
Constitution Day – This outreach program reaches almost 2,000 students and complies with the U.S. Department of Education’s mandate that educational institutions accepting federal aid celebrate Constitution Day. Volunteer attorneys and judges visit classrooms throughout Orange County and present an interactive lesson related to the U.S. Constitution.
Students become engaged in relevant and important Constitutional issues and cases that have shaped society.
Mock Trial and Middle School Moot Court
Mock Trial – This program combines law-related education with tournament style competition. Using an actual settled criminal court case, over 800 students, representing 46 teams enact every role in a trial, under the guidance of attorney and teacher coaches. Students can also compete in courtroom art and journalism contests. Moot Court - Middle School students compete in an oral advocacy competition using fictitious federal case materials. The students conduct an oral argument in front of a judicial officer.
Hundreds of CRF-OC Mock Trial participants go on to successful careers as lawyers, legal professionals and other business leaders. In fact, two CRF-OC Board Members were Orange County Mock Trial participants and another of our attorney coaches was an Orange County Mock Trial participant. Several Mock Trial alumni have become state and federal judicial officers and others have achieved success in the legal and business communities.
Moot Court participants improve their analytical and oral presentation skills while learning about the federal court system.
Peer Court
Peer Court – This ongoing juvenile diversion program reduces criminal activity by first-time juvenile offenders who have committed non-violent misdemeanors. A sitting judge presides, attorneys act as advisors and students who have completed a training session are selected to serve as jurors to assess the case and assign sanctions to approximately 30 young offenders from high schools other than the Peer Court site. An interactive curriculum educates students about the juvenile justice system and helps them make responsible decisions.
With over 94% of participants completing their court-ordered sanctions within four months, CRF-OC's Peer Court Program reduces juvenile delinquency and helps prevent recidivism.
CONTACT
Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County
4101 Westerly Place
Suite 101
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: 949-679-0730