State and Local Government
Session 8: Judicial System

Materials

• Handout: “Virginia Courts in Brief”  (Attachment F)
• Handout: “Virginia Courts in Brief Study Guide” (Attachment G)

Instructional Activities

1. Explain that the role of the Virginia Judicial Branch is to see if the laws have been broken.

2. Explain that many trials that take place in the United States take place in state courts. (Federal trials include kidnapping, bank robbery, and counterfeiting. These crimes are committed much less often than state offenses.)
   
   
3. Distribute the handouts titled “Virginia Courts In Brief” (Attachment F) and “Virginia Courts in Brief Study Guide” (Attachment G). Ask students to read the handout and complete the questions on the study guide.
   
   
4. Allow time to go over the questions on the study guide at the end of class.