Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pressing Cases

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate famous criminal cases in which the media has played a significant role and reflect on how the news helps to shape attitudes and behaviors in their own lives.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing As Criminal Evidence

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students research 2 famous forgery cases. In this forensics lesson, students are introduced to the methods of handwriting and paper analysis. They then use the Internet to study the cases of the Lindbergh baby and Howard Hughes'...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do We Need a Permanenet International Criminal Court?: War Crimes, Violence, International Law and Politics, Nuremberg

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
In this lesson, students explore the history, relevance and current application of international tribunals for war crimes. Students look at cases from the Nuremberg trials, Tokyo trials and the Bosnian War.
Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Saved from the Gallows — the Trial of Leopold and Loeb

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Was justice served for Bobby Franks? An informative article about the 1924 trial of Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold includes an overview of the murder of Bobby Franks, the defense’s legal strategy, and excerpts of closing arguments from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On the Run

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research famous F.B.I. "Most Wanted" cases; they then create PowerPoint, or other informational and visual displays, to present their case studies in class.
Website
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: The Oj Simpson Trial

For Students 9th - 10th
This well-researched site offers a comprehensive study of the 1995 criminal trial of OJ Simpson. Includes not only the law and politics involved in the trial, but also the role of the media and the mass public attention placed upon the...
Handout
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Fbi: Famous Cases and Criminals: Bonnie and Clyde

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed account of the background, crimes and capture of famous criminals Clyde Champion Barrow and Bonnie Parker. Links to the FBI's archives featuring remarkable primary documents relating to the couple's misdeeds.
Handout
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Fbi History: Famous Cases and Criminals: The Lindbergh Kidnapping

For Students 9th - 10th
The FBI presents the facts behind one of its most famous cases, the Lindbergh kidnapping. Presented in a timeline format, the site explores the Lindbergh kidnapping, ensuing ransom demands, investigation of the crime, Hauptmann's...
Article
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: The Osage "Reign of Terror" Murder Trials

For Students 9th - 10th
The "Reign of Terror" that overtook the Osage Reservation in 1921 is just one chapter in the long story of mistreatment of Native Americans by whites, but is one of the most horrifying. Before the chapter ends, untold dozens of Osage...
Article
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Mc Martin Preschool Abuse Trial (1987 90)

For Students 9th - 10th
"They're putting on witnesses who they know are lying. They concealed exonerating evidence. Don't we have enough criminal conduct by the prosecutors to put them behind bars?" "It doesn't work that way," the lawyer laughed. "The law is...
Handout
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Oj Trial Johnnie Cochran

For Students 9th - 10th
Short article on attorney Johnnie Cochran (1937-2005), his part in the O. J. Simpson trial, and his defense of other high profile clients.
Website
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: The Mississippi Burning Trial

For Students 9th - 10th
Updated detailed account of the case of United States versus Cecil Price et al., also known as the "Mississippi Burning trial", a criminal trial where the United States charged a group of 18 men with conspiring in a Ku Klux Klan plot to...
Handout
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Bureau of Investigation: Famous Cases and Criminals: Al Capone

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical profile of well-known Chicago mobster Al "Scarface" Capone.
Handout
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Bureau of Investigation: Famous Cases and Criminals: John Dillinger

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information and photographs of infamous gangster John Herbert Dillinger. Learn about his violent life, crimes, capture, and death.
Handout
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Bureau of Investigation: George "Machine Gun" Kelly

For Students 9th - 10th
Information about the life, crimes (including quotes from ransom notes and newspaper articles), and capture of the infamous gangster, George "Machine Gun" Kelly.