These discussions help the students appreciate that officers must respond to what they observe about an individual's behavior at the time of an encounter because they cannot know the person's mind-set. After the Practical Law instruction had been delivered to several different classes, Albany school officials and the chief met to evaluate the curriculum. The evaluation panel determined that adding instruction from an attorney's perspective might encourage a broader appreciation for the scope of the law. A constitutional law attorney from the nearby city of Berkeley agreed to volunteer her time to the instruction program and now copresents a revised curriculum with the chief. Sessions now begin with opening remarks from the attorney and the chief.
Students then pose questions to the instructors, both of whom respond to each question.
The resulting discussions, often marked by spirited debate among the students, help bring to life the concepts of constitutional law and abstract theories about the proper role of law enforcement in a free society. As the presentations unfold, students often are surprised to find that the police chief and the constitutional law attorney agree on more points than they disagree. Through this expanded forum, the students learn that both the police and those who represent criminal defendants operate from a position of respect for the Constitution. They then should submit the plan to the local school board for approval. Although school administrators may want to monitor development of the instruction, most school systems would fully embrace the concept of a practical law course for students.