Law

Law Program

In the FLY Law Program, our staff and highly trained volunteers teach a fun, interactive 8- to 12-week course using our nationally recognized law-related education curriculum. The curriculum covers relevant topics such as police encounters, accomplice liability, three strikes, theft, vandalism, drugs, gangs, and police arrests. The curriculum is interesting and engaging to the youth, and is an excellent vehicle for us to teach critical life skills like anger management, problem solving, conflict resolution, and resisting negative peer pressure.

Everything is taught in a non-judgmental manner with no stigma is attached, which makes the youth more willing to learn. Mid-way through the semester, youth take a field trip to a local university law school where they tour the campus and act out a mock trial in the moot courtroom. The classes are taught in high schools, community centers, juvenile halls, and juvenile camps and ranches in Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda Counties. A modified version of the curriculum is taught in our Middle School Program. Last year, FLY served youth in more than 20 Bay Area cities through the Law Program.

How Youth Benefit

Research shows that youth who are exposed to legal education are less likely to break the law.  FLY’s nationally recognized CBT-based legal education curriculum includes weekly two-hour sessions and key experiential components such as role plays, debates, and mock city council hearings to capture youth interest, educate them about the law, and build life skills. Highly trained volunteers and FLY staff teach the course in teams, developing rapport with youth and giving them access to positive role models. Each course includes a field trip to a local university law school and a recognition ceremony.

The course helps our young people understand the consequences of crime and inspires them to change behaviors that could act as barriers to future success. Each year on average, 80% or more of youth who complete the program report:

• The program gave them access to positive role models
• They are less likely to break the law after being in FLY
• They want to make positive changes after being in FLY
• They have more confidence to deal with negative peer pressure after the program
• They are more likely to make healthier choices after being in FLY
• They now have hope for their future

Program Sites

FLY Law Program classes are taught in schools, community centers, juvenile halls, and juvenile camps and ranches throughout the Bay Area.

FLY Alameda County Law Program Sites List
FLY San Mateo County Law Program Sites List
FLY Santa Clara County Law Program Sites List

How to Make a Referral

FLY generally accepts referrals for youth to our Law Program from probation departments; school teachers, counselors, and administrators; social workers; and family and community members. Please fax or email the form for the county in which the youth resides. If you have any questions, please see the contact information below.

FLY Alameda County Law Program Referral Form (Fillable PDF form)
FLY San Mateo County Law Program Referral Form (Fillable PDF form)
FLY Santa Clara County Law Program Referral Form

How to Volunteer

Most of FLY’s law classes are taught by community members who receive in-depth training and on-going support from FLY staff. We hope you’ll consider this excellent volunteer opportunity. Please see our Law Program Volunteer Facilitator information and application at this link.

Contacts for More Information

Alameda County Law Program – Trevor Arceneaux, trevor@flyprogram.org, Phone: 510-813-6691, Fax: 510-382-1072
San Mateo County Law Program – Melissa Poling, melissa@flyprogram.org, Phone: 650-450-2361, Fax: 650-610-9821
Santa Clara County – Vianni Garcia, vianni@flyprogram.org, Phone: 408-263-2630, Fax: 408-263-2631