Albany 5th graders start 35-week legal system program

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Albany County is reviving a 35-week program at select school districts that educates fifth graders about the legal system. Legal Lives is a dynamic initiative that offers students the opportunity to participate in lessons led by 46 staff members of the Albany County District Attorney’s Office and district social studies teachers.

Students who participate gain a better understanding of the law and develop their critical and analytical thinking skills. Seeking to prevent youth violence, the program began this week and will conclude in May.

“Legal Lives will build trust and establish pathways to justice in our community,” Albany City School District Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter said. “Teaching our students about the law and civic responsibility now will also grow a new generation of judges, attorneys and police officers to serve, protect and advocate in Albany County.”

Participating schools

• Albany School of Humanities
• Montessori Magnet School
• Pine Hills Elementary School
• Sheridan Preparatory Academy

In the hour-long lessons, students will take part in skills and mock trials about drug possession, shoplifting, harassment, assault, gun violence, and domestic violence. The Albany DA’s office said the lessons demonstrate how students can make the right choice and steer clear of illegal activity.

“Our newly formed Restorative Justice Bureau is dedicated to diverting people away from the criminal justice system, so it just made sense to re-establish Legal Lives as a way to reach youth and educate them about the perils of crime,” District Attorney Lee Kindlon said. “I think we can inspire kids by showing them that there’s an entire patchwork of professionals who are rooting for them to be successful members of society.”