Law & Criminal Justice Academy
Creekview’s Law and Criminal Justice Academy provides opportunities for students to explore various aspects of the American legal system. Students may choose from the Law, Law Enforcement, or the Political Science strands, compete on our Mock Trial or Moot Court teams, and study through either the traditional or Dual Credit pathway. Experiences both in and out of the classroom help students build relationships and leadership skills, critical thinking and reasoning skills, and oral advocacy skills which will be valuable both in the legal profession as well as any other career path a student might choose after high school.
- Strands
- Courses
- Expert Teachers
- Connected Learners
- How To Get In
- Benefits
- Awards
- Outline Description
Strands
Courses
Principles of Government and Public Administration/Principles of Law, Public Safety, and Security
The introductory Law Academy course in which students survey the different strands and acquire a beginning familiarity with the law and legal system.
Law Enforcement I/II/Criminal Investigations
Students learn about what police officers, FBI agents, and other members of local, state, and federal law enforcement do.
Political Science I/II
Students explore the legislative process and political parties in the U.S. and internationally.
Law Studies/Court Systems and Practices
Students use the case law method to explore civil and constitutional law principles.
Legal Research and Writing/Problem-Based Research
Students engage in mock trial and moot court case preparation and discussion.
Business Law
Students learn basic business law, including business associations and contract law.
Dual Credit Criminology (Intro to Criminology, Court Systems & Practices, Ethics in Criminal Justice, Cyber Crimes, Special Topics in Criminal Justice Studies, Current Issues in Criminal Jusitce, Crime in America, and Fundamentals of Criminal Law)
Students earn up to 24 hours of college credit taking courses with actual college professors with help and guidance from a high school teacher.
Forensic Science
Students experience crime scene investigation methods and practices.
Forensic Psychology
Students delve into the criminal mind and psychological explanations of criminality.
Expert Teachers
CFBISD’s Law Academy is taught by expert teachers with a variety of experiences.
On staff we have:
- Two Juris Doctorates, one of whom is still practicing while teaching;
- One staff is approved through DCCCD as an Adjunct Professor in Criminology for Dual Credit Classes
- One former Police Officer
- Our internship coordinator formerly worked in the private business sector
Jonathan Ray
Law Academy Director, Moot Court coach, teaches Law Studies/Court Systems and Dual Credit. American Lawyers Alliance Law-Related Teacher of the Year 2022
Brian Sheguit
Practicing Attorney, Mock Trial coach, teaches Business Law and Forensic Psychology
Tiffany Isaac
Former Dallas police officer, teachers Law Enforcement 1 and 2 and Criminal Investigations
Julienne Tapay
Forensic Science teacher with background in both forensic and culinary science
Landyn Minter
Teaches Principles, AP Government, AP Comparative Government, and AP World History
Connected Learners
Law Strand Field Trips
-
Crowley Courthouse
- Every year Dr. Ray takes a large group of students to the lobby of the Crowley Courthouse to view whatever trials and/or proceedings we choose to. We spend about 3 hours seeing exactly what we have been learning about. Afterwards we eat lunch at the Historic West End.
- Belo Mansion
- Students go to the historic Belo Mansion to hear real testimonials from lawyers, FBI agents, police officers, and much more.
Law Enforcement Field Trips
- Georgetown Law Enforcement Field Day
- Students are trained in the ways real police officers are, sometimes with paintball, sometimes rappelling from helicopters, or training with a K9 unit. There's nothing more hands on than this trip.
- 6th Floor Museum
- Students travel to the site of the Kennedy Assassination to explore the Forensic Science behind what we now know today.
Political Science Field Trip
- The George W. Bush Presidential Library
- Students experience the political life of George W. Bush and see their lessons applicable to the real world. Features include a replica Oval Office, and a decision-making room.
Competitions
Moot Court
Moot Court is a mock appeals court in which two teams of two speak on issues presented in a case. Each speaker is allotted about 15 minutes to address their assigned issue, with Petitioners speaking first, then Respondents, then a rebuttal.
Mock Trial
Mock Trial is a mock trial court in which Prosecution and defendants take turns arguing over the guilt of a certain individual. Students can take the role of either an attorney or a witness.
Citizen Bee
Citizen Bee is an interschool competition where students are asked questions about American History and citizenship. Students are called up to a microphone in a similar way to a spelling bee, and are asked questions about things such as the Constitution, historical people, bills, and much more.
How To Get In
Selection Criteria
A limited number of students will be selected for the Academy, using the following criteria:
- Essay explaining reasons for interest.
- Record of grades 7th and 8th
- Record of attendance
- Discipline Records
Evaluation Criteria
Academy students will be evaluated by the following criteria.
- Grades
- Attendance
- Interest
- Quality
- Career Choice
Benefits
Awards
Mock Trial
- Dallas Bar Association State Champions: 2006, 2013, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018
- National High School Mock Trial National Champion Best Attorney: 2018
- National High School Mock Trial 5th Place: 2017
- YMCA State Champions: 2022
- YMCA National Judicial Conference Best Witness 2017
- YMCA National Judicial Conference Best Defense Attorney 2022
- Yale Bulldog Mock Trial Top Attorney: 2020, 2021
- Empire Mock Trial Top Attorney/Top Witness: 2013-2019
- Courtroom Artist State Champion/National 2nd Place: 2022
Moot Court
- Harlan Institute National Supreme Court Champions: 2018
- YMCA National Judicial Conference Champions: 2021, 2022
- YMCA National Judicial Conference Champion Best Attorney: 2021, 2022
- UTEP Moot Court Champions: 2016, 2017, 2018
- UTEP Moot Court Top Attorney: 2016, 2017, 2018
- YMCA State Champions: 2018, 2019
- Cornell Moot Court Champions: 2022
- Duke Moot Court Top Attorney: 2022
- Duke Moot Court 2nd Place:2019
- Princeton Moot Court 4th Place: 2021
- Princeton Moot Court Top Attorney: 2017, 2019
Outline Description
Title: “Law Academy Courses by Year”
Beginning of the chart begins with “9th Grade” and the subject “Principles of Government and Public Administration (ALL STUDENTS)”
If moving onto “10th Grade” then choose..
- “Law Enforcement 1”
- “Law Studies”
- “Political Science I”
Under “10th Grade”, also includes “Electives: Forensic Psychology, Legal Research and Writing, Forensic Science, and Debate”
If moving onto “11th Grade”
- If “Law Enforcement I” was chosen in “10th Grade” then move onto “Law Enforcement II” in “11th Grade”
- If “Law Studies” was chosen in “10th Grade” then move onto “Legal Research and Writing” in “11th Grade”
- If “Political Science I” was chosen in “10th Grade” then move onto “Political Science II” in “11th Grade”
- “Dual Credit Intro to Criminology and Crime in America” is a choice not listed in “10th Grade”
Under “11th Grade”, also includes “Electives: Forensic Psychology, Legal Research and Writing, Forensic Science, and Debate”
If moving onto “12th Grade”
- If “Law Enforcement II”, “Legal Research & Writing”, or “Political Science II” was chosen in “11th Grade” then move onto “Senior Requirements: Dual Credit OR AP Government, Problems and solutions (internship), 40 hours community service (ALL Students). May be fulfilled by taking Leadership or Community Service.”
- If “Dual Credit Intro to Criminology and Crime in America” was chosen in “11th Grade” then move onto “Dual Credit Court Systems and Practices and Criminal Law”
Under “12th Grade”, also includes “Electives: Forensic Psychology, Legal Research and Writing, Forensic Science, Debate, Independent Study (director approval required)”
- Students must choose from 3 strands: Law Enforcement, Law, and Political Science and may take additional electives
- Students may pursue an “interdisciplinary strand” after 10th grade by changing between strands with Director approval
- Students may apply to the Director for a waiver of the senior Internship requirement given completion of 6 or more hours of Academy credits
- Students may switch to Dual Credit from any strand after 10th grade
- Mock Trial/Moot Court:
- YEAR 1: Legal Research and Writing
- YEAR 2: Court Systems and Practices
- YEAR 3: Special Topics in English
Contact:
Jonathan Ray
972-968-4972
rayj@cfbisd.edu
This Academy is offered at:
Grade Levels Served:
9th-12th Grades