Legal Studies - Criminal Law – What could be done about Youth Crime

A PPT designed to introduce 10 Legal studies students to terminology and concepts needed for an exam about criminal law (some short response and an extended response Q about youth crime).

The lesson begins with information about why young offenders are treated differently from adults in the criminal justice system. The current penalties and sentencing options available to the court are provided in dot point form. Then students had to draw a 4 column table in their books to fill in while engaging with content on the subsequent slides. There were slides about the Labor Party (2024) had done as well as things they were proposing to do about youth crime prior to the Qld election. Other viewpoints were provided about these changes so that students could identify some of the pros and cons of these law reforms. Then Robbie Katter’s ideas about a ‘relocation sentencing policy’ were explored. This was compared to the Labor Party’s ‘On Country’ program which was being trialled in 2024. The Liberal Party’s election campaign slogan “adult crime, adult time” was explained along with their suggested “Staying on Track Program.”

NB: In my PPTs I typically underline the information that I want students to write. The rest I use as talking points / visual aids.

A resource which I think Legal Studies / Civics teachers will find helpful. If you use it, and like it, please give me a positive star rating / review.

NB: My lessons have been designed for use in Australian classrooms and will often feature examples from Queensland legislation.