When You Turn 18: A Legal Survival Guide Joins Judges in the Classroom Lesson Library

When You Turn 18: A Legal Survival Guide , produced as a publication of the California Lawyers Foundation, served as the template for a new program for students, thanks to the help of an intern just two-years himself into adulthood.

"This project is special not just because of its content, but because it was designed by a student for students," said Justice Judith McConnell, leader of the Chief Justice's Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative. "It makes the information in When You Turn 18 even more relevant and relatable."

The Power of Democracy's Judges in the Classroom program will include a presentation version of the guide as part of its lesson library. Teachers may select the topics they wish to cover, invite a judge to talk to students, and gain for themselves a better understanding of how laws impact their students when they reach the age of majority.

"Our When You Turn 18 publication is an excellent guide for teenagers to learn about laws that come into play as they step into adulthood," said California Lawyers Foundation President Jerilyn Malana. "We are delighted the Power of Democracy has embraced our guide and created a new and exciting presentation for use in classrooms. Civic education is one of our key focus areas, and the new program helps to advance this goal."

Keeping Up with the Times

Upon reviewing the guide for another project, Judicial Council summer intern Tamir Hutton, a student at UC Santa Barbara, expressed how there was information in the publication he never knew, and wished that he was presented the information before turning 18.

"There's a lot we do as high schoolers, playing around and hanging out with our friends," said Hutton.
"I didn't know, but I do now, there's a lot that can be carried too far and can be illegal once you're an adult."

By having a near-peer transform the guide into a classroom-ready format, the project reflects the very spirit of civic engagement: young people helping to empower the next generation.

Instead of simply handing out the PDF, this format allows students the chance to ask questions, walk through real-life scenarios, and see how the law applies directly to their own lives as they enter adulthood. The presentation blends visuals, discussion, and practical examples, making complex topics both accessible and memorable.

A Program in High Demand

Judges in the Classroom continues to grow in popularity, with more than 16,000 students participating statewide last year. Adding the When You Turn 18 presentation expands the library of lessons available to schools and ensures young people leave with a tangible resource they can use in their daily lives.

How Teachers Can Request the Presentation

Teachers can request the new When You Turn 18 presentation through the Judges in the Classroom program by visiting powerofdemocracy.org. Presentations can be scheduled in person or virtually, and the guide itself is available as a free download from the California Lawyers Foundation at calawyersfoundation.org.