Welcome…

…to your “Intro to Law” class!

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to American law. It addresses several areas of law including but
not limited to constitutional, criminal, and civil law. In order to investigate these areas we will
discuss contemporary legal issues as well as great trials in American History. Students will
participate in discussions, readings, and class activities.

Essential Questions:

• Where does our law come from?

• What is the purpose of law?
• How has law changed over time?
• How have important court cases changed the American way of life?
• How does the criminal justice system work?
• What are your rights?

Course Topics:

Sources of Criminal Law

The Court System

Theories of punishment

Elements of a crime

The Criminal Justice Process

Crimes Against the Person

Crimes Against Property

Crimes Against the Public

Defenses

Student Rights

The Social Studies Department assumes “primary responsibility” for assisting students in achieving proficiency in
Academic Expectations #1 (writing), #2 (reading), #5 (gathering data), and 8 (context of knowledge). We also
acknowledge our collaborative efforts in reinforcing and supporting all of the other academic expectations outlined
in the Program of Studies. The goals and objectives of the course offerings listed below reflect the overall goals of
Lexington High School’s Social Studies program 9-12.

Ms. Torres’ Contact Information:

Office: Room 245 (This is the teachers’ work room in the Main Building. I have a desk there.)
Email: ltorres@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us (This is the best way to reach me!)
Phone: (781) 861-2320 x1420. Leave a message with Marlene Couture.

Textbook:

Street Law: A Course in Practical Law, 6th edition.

Expectations:

RESPECT: It is expected that you will respect all people during all classroom activities. This
includes peers, teachers, ideas, comments, and differences. Treat other people how you would
want to be treated!

RESPONSIBILITY:
• You are expected to arrive ON TIME and ready to work with a pen or pencil,
assignment book, homework and history binder.
• If you are absent, you are responsible for asking me for missed assignments and making
up the work that you missed. This should not be done during class time, but one your
own time. Work missed from an unexcused absence cannot be made up. Please see the
LHS absence policy below.
• If you need extra help, please come and see me whenever I have a free period or
schedule a time with me before or after school. I will always be around immediately
after school on Mondays.
• Many other people will be using this room, so you need to leave the room in the same
order that you found it.
• No cell phone, ipods, or other electronic devices. If I see them I will take them and give
them to the dean. They can be picked up at the end of the day.
HONESTY: Students are expected to be honest at all times, as according to the LHS honor code.
The honor code will be reviewed and signed during the first week of class.

HOMEWORK: Homework is due at the beginning of the class on which it’s due. It is essential
that the homework is done on time. Late homework will not be accepted for full credit and may
only be handed in the day after its original due date. Work missed from an unexcused absence
will receive as zero. A student whose absence is excused will have time equal to the time they
missed to finish make up work. For example, if a student misses one day, they have until the end
of the next day to make up the work. If a student misses three days, they have until the end of the
third day they are back to make it up. Students are expected to carefully and completely read all
assigned pages from the textbook or other source and be able to discuss the information they
have read. Any worksheets, response paragraphs, or notes should be completed legibly and kept
in a neatly organized binder so that they can be used to review for tests and quizzes. This is in
addition to any time spent on projects.

PARTICIPATION: In order to get the most out of this class, it will be necessary for you to
participate in all classroom discussions and activities. While I expect you to participate, I also
expect you to listen respectfully to others. We learn the most when we ask questions, volunteer
our ideas, and consider the ideas of others.

GRADING: There will be a variety of assignments each quarter.

Grade Breakdown:
15% Class participation and preparation A+ 99 -100
25% Homework assignments A 94 - 98
30% Quizzes, in class assignments A- 90 – 93
30% Tests and projects B+
87 - 89
B 84 - 86
B- 80 – 83…..
Tests will always be announced a week beforehand. Quizzes will usually be announced, although
pop quizzes will occur.

LHS Absence Policy:

The following is the LHS absence policy:
• The grade of N is failure due to poor attendance. The grade of F means academic failure.
• Three (3) unexcused absences per term = N.
• Nine (9) tardies per term = N
• Seven (7) absences per term = N
• A student with two (2) Ns in a full year or semester course will receive no credit for the
course. A student with an N in a single term course will receive no credit for the course.

Contacting Me:
The easiest way to reach me is my email address: ltorres@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us. I can also be
reached by leaving a message with Marlene Couture at 781-861-2320 ext. 1420. If the matter is
urgent, feel free to do both. I will call you as soon as I can find a private and accessible phone.
Please sign below:

Student
Name:___________________________Signature:_______________________________

Parent/Guardian
Name:____________________Signature:______________________________________