Brite Star Courts "Whats the Law"

What’s the Law A Brite Star Courts Copyright © 2023 by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)3 All rights reserved.

Published by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc. 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway Suite 338 Las Vegas, Nevada 89141 Vincent W. Goett, Publisher ISBN Paperback

979-8-89750-119-9

Digital

979-8-89750-120-5

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Mr. Emerson wasdriving the bus to school. But he stopped before they got to Brite Star School.

“Why did westop here?” Miles asked.

“I wanted you to see the Brite Star Courthouse,” Mr. Emerson said. “This is where disputes between people are settled and decisions are made that protect our laws.”

“What are laws?” asked Alexander.

“You’re going to learn about that today,” said Mr. Emerson.

When the bus arrived at Brite Star School, Ms. Betty greeted the students, “Good morning! We have a special day planned for you,” she said. The kids knew it wasCareer Day. That meant that a parent of one of their classmates would share about his or her career. As the students took their seats they noticed that there wasn’t just one parent in the front of the class. There were two!

“OK, let’s take our seats so Brett can introduce his parents to you,” said Ms.Betty.

“Hi everybody,” said Brett. “My momand dad work at the same place every day, the BriteStar Courthouse,” said Brett. “Dad is a lawyer who works to put people who break the law in jail. Mom is a judge who says how long they will be in jail.”

“Mr. Emerson drove us by the courthouse today on the way to school. It’s right next to the jail,” said Miles.

Illustration Picture of Court House and Jail next to it.

“Thanks Brett, for that good introduction,” said Lawyer Blue.

“Judge, why are you wearing a robe?” asked Miles.

“The custom of judges wearing robes began back in colonial times,” Judge Blue said. “In fact, the court dress rules were established in England in 1635 and are still followed today.”

“But just between us, the judge wears a robe to show who’s the boss,” said Lawyer Blue, winking at hiswife.

Everyone laughed.

“How do you become a judge or a lawyer?” asked Sam.

“I graduated from a university. After that I went to law school and got a law degree. It took seven years of education,” said LawyerBlue.

“Wow, that’s a long time,” said Miles.

“Yes, but there wasmore. After that I had to pass a test called the Bar Exambefore I could even work as a lawyer,” said Lawyer Blue.

“Alwaysmore tests no matter whatage you are,” said Alexander.

“After I passed the Bar Exam,I had to take an oath, which is like a promise, to uphold the law,” said Lawyer Blue.

“I did all the same things Lawyer Blue did to become a judge,” said Judge Blue.

“But a judge gets his or her job by being appointed by the President of the United States or the governor of a state or by be being elected by the people.”

“My dad says sometimes people who are elected by the people forget who they work for,” said Jimmy.

“Judges’ salaries are paid by the taxpayers so it’s true that wework for the people. Most judges remember that,” said Judge Blue. “Judges also have to take an oath before becoming a judge.”

“I want to be a judge on the big court someday,” said Sam. “You mean the Supreme Court. If you work hard you may well be on the Supreme Court one day,” said Judge Blue.

“Can a lawyer or judge get fired?” asked Jimmy.

“When lawyers don’t keep the rules of ethics they agreed to they can certainly be fired,” said Judge Blue.

“And if a lawyer does something very bad he can be disbarred, which means he loses his or her license and can’t be a lawyer anymore,” said Lawyer Blue.

“Ajudge loses her job when she is not voted into office again,” said Judge Blue.

“What are ethics?” askedKaren.

“They are the rules of how wemust conduct ourselves as lawyer and judge. For example, if you went outside and found money on the ground, would you keep it or give it to Ms. Betty?” asked Judge Blue.

“Finders keepers,”said Miles.

“That’s not good ethics,Miles,”saidJudge Blue.

“Okay, I’d give it to Ms. Betty because that money belongs to someone. It’s not mine,” Miles said.

“That’s good ethics!” saidJudge Blue.

“Now, let’s talk about whatit means to break the law,” said Judge Blue.

“Ms. Betty whatare some rules you have in school?” asked Lawyer Blue.

“Class, can you answer?” asked Ms. Betty.

The kids started calling out rules:

“No running in halls” “No bad language” “No fighting” “No bullying” “What happens when these rules are broken?” asked Judge Blue.

“One punishment is that Ms. Betty takes recess away,” saidMiles.

“You’re used to that, Miles,” said Hudson.

Everyone laughed at that.

“Grownups have rules to obey, too. We call them laws. When someone is accused of breaking a law myjob is to present the facts from myclient to Judge Blue. Another lawyer will present the facts from the viewpoint of his client,” said Lawyer Blue.

“Judge Blue decides if the law wasbroken and whatthe punishment should be.”

“There are twokinds of laws—criminal and civil,” said Judge Blue. “When criminal laws are broken it means bad crimes have been committed. Here are some examples.” She wrote a list on the board: 1. Hurting somebody 2. Planning to hurt someone 3. Stopping the police from doing their job 4. Assault or hitting someone 5. Burglary

“Cases concerning these lawscome before my court. A lawyer tries to convince a jury and me that a person broke one of these laws,” said Judge Blue.

“Another lawyer tries to convince the jury and Judge Blue that the person didn’t break the law,” said Lawyer Blue.

“Civil crimes are laws that have been broken that aren’t quite as serious. However, it’s still wrong if theyarebroken,” saidLawyer Blue.

Lawyer Blue wrote a list on the board: 1. Landlord/tenant disputes 2. Divorce proceedings

3. Child custody proceedings 4. Property disputes 5. Personal injury 6. Traffic tickets “It’s lunch time now but after lunch Judge Blue and Lawyer Blue are going to teach us what happens after a person does break a law,” said Ms. Betty. “We might just have another surprise for you after lunch, too!”

Think About It 1. When did the custom of judges wearing robes begin?

2. How many years of education does it take to become a lawyer or judge?

3. What is the test called that a lawyer and judge must pass?

4. How does a judge get his or her job?

5. What are the twokinds of lawsmentioned in the story?

Let’s Work Together!

It’s important to knowthe rules you must obey. Do you knowthe rules of your school or your family? Do you understand why they are important? Do you try your best to obey them?

Iwill . . .

• Tryto be a good citizen by obeying rules.

• Learn the lawsof my town, state and country.

• Appreciate the work of lawyers and judges whohelp make our lives safe.

Lawyers and judges help make lives better by helping put lawbreakers in jail. They also help you defend yourself when you are accused of a crime youdidn’t commit.Lawyersandjudges are veryimportant.