quincy
Senior Member
THIS THREAD WAS STARTED BY thomasfaulkner:
I agree basic law should be taught to students.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania
The subject of basic legal rights arose when I was watching Making a Murderer. How many people are actually familiar with the legal system, especially those who are middle-upper class?
In episode three of the 10-episode series, Brendan (Steven Avery's nephew) is arrested for confessing to being an accomplice in helping Steven Avery kill Teresa...but there's a catch. We can't figure out if Brendan is actually confessing to something, or if he's just confused by what the investigators want and therefore, telling them what they seem to want to hear.
During a phone call with his mother from jail, the Dasseys discuss how investigators want Brendan to give them another statement because of the "inconsistencies" between the original statement Brendan gave and what was said in the press. From there, Brendan asks his mother, "What does 'inconsistent' mean?"
For example, to turn to TV dramas, it's interesting that so many shows have shown a failure of kids AND sometimes even adults understanding their legal rights.
Everyone is entitled to basic law and legal definitions to better understand their legal rights. A textbook definition can be confusing and stressful for kids and students, and they're most likely going to then, only be studying/memorizing to get a decent grade, as opposed to learning.
In high school, I believe students should be taught at least the basics of the legal system (such as a legal glossary which gives examples in layman's terms to help students actually understand the terms in context (XXXXXXX) which can not only help students understand their legal rights but understand how the law works, period. Many schools fail to press on the legal system, and usually, if anything, only discuss the history of it but not necessarily how it works. In college, many schools don't require any type of legal education, either, so students are on their own to learn their basic human rights.
Did Brendan actually know his rights or did he just want to get the police "off his back so he could go home"? (Which, of course, he couldn't after confessing.) Is this a depiction of rural America, or are schools failing to properly educate students in the school systems? If Brendan had been taught the basics in school, would he have stood tall until he had an attorney, or would this have still probably happened anyway?
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rolleyes
