Court Programs

Programs Information for Students & Teachers

The US Courts website contains an abundance of educational resources from basic court information about courts to social media and student speech rights. The 9th Circuit Courts & Community Committee site has pictures and resports from educational programs across the western United States.


Judges in the Classroom

Since 1993, classrooms of students often take a fieldtrip to the courthouse to participate in mock trials or to hear presentations on the federal judicial system, federal jurisdiction and the law. Alternatively, various judges have traveled to local elementary, middle and high schools to give these presentations. The judges who participate in this program strive to help and encourage students to embrace the concepts of justice and responsibility, to clarify for them the roles of the individual within a free society, to familiarize the students with career opportunities within the legal system, and to convey the message that students who work hard in school will achieve success. The judicial participants believe that if we can provide a positive influence, even in a small way, that leads to the success of students in our schools, we will have the satisfaction of knowing that our entire community will reap benefits in the future and our efforts will have been worthwhile.


CARE San Diego - CARE: Credit Abuse Resistance Education (care4yourfuture.org)

The San Diego Bankruptcy Court sponsors the Credit Abuse Resistance Education ("CARE") Program to teach financial literacy to young adults using an interactive presentation with videos to teach about budgeting, savings, student loans, credit cards and other financial issues arising in every day life. Besides participating in the Open Doors to the Court program, CARE Program volunteers travel to high schools and other youth groups around San Diego.


Open Doors to the Court

Open Doors to the Federal Courts is a national program which welcomes thousands of students into local federal courthouses around the country. The objective is to bring high school students, teachers, judges, court staff, and lawyers together to enhance public knowledge and understanding of the federal court system. The program is intended for high school seniors who have studied civics or United States government. These students and their teachers are invited into the courthouse to participate in a program offered each spring.


Mock Trial - "Children At Risk: State v. Andy Adams & Beth Baker"


  Download Training Material for Mock Trial Videotape
Developed by: Children At Risk Committee San Diego County Bar Association
Distributed by: Office of the Circuit Executive United States Courts for the Ninth Circuit.
Writen materials prepared by: Karen Hughes, Jilien Rubin, & Elizabeth Sitnick

This videotape is protected by copyright. Unauthorized duplication is probhited.
www.ca9.uscourts.gov

Courthouse Tours

Include an overview of the history of the buildings, architecture, and artwork.


  Download our Community Outreach Brochure for more information.


Contact Information

Sarah Luna,
Administrative Assistant
Email: community_outreach@casd.uscourts.gov
Telephone: (619) 557-6348

The Southern District of California has long recognized the benefit of opening its doors for the purpose of offering educational programs to the public. In September, 2009, the Court created a Community Outreach Programs Committee to coordinate the Court’s various outreach efforts. Below attached are links to brochures and information regarding some of the programs currently offered in the Southern District of California

  Community Outreach Programs

  What's On The Inside

  Courtrooms As Classrooms

  Southern District of California Historical Walking Tour


The Court has established a Learning Center to better inform the community of the role an independent judiciary plays in our Constitutional democracy. We seek to promote understanding about what the federal courts do through exhibits. educational programs and tours. By promoting knowledge and understanding, we hope our citizens are better informed and have greater confidence in our judicial system.

  Virtual Community Outreach Programs