Know Your Rights to Protest

It has never been more important for your voice to be heard!

We All Have Rights

Everyone within the United States has rights under the Constitution, regardless of their immigration status. LYRIC is dedicated to teaching about those rights most important in police encounters, which come from the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Kinaree Eichner explains the burden of proof in criminal trials known as “beyond a reasonable doubt” and shows how it protects those accused of crimes in court.

Kids’ Rights Talking to Police

Sixth-grader Kinaree Eichner explains the rights kids have when they are confronted by the police.

Cell Phones and the Right to Privacy

Being arrested is a terrifying experience! Lost in all the confusion can be property that police want to investigate or seize. Your phone is your life. It has a lot of sensitive information on it, and it can be a nightmare when it is confiscated by the police. After all, that information can be used against you! Kinaree Eichner goes over the right to privacy in these situations.

Self-Defense

Self-defense might seem like a simple idea, but it gets pretty complicated in real life. Kinaree Eichner goes over the basics so you know your rights.

The Steps of a Criminal Case, Part I

Kinaree Eichner explains the steps of a criminal case. With this lesson, you can make the best choices to protect your rights and your freedom if you are ever confronted with criminal charges. Kinaree covers arrest, Miranda rights, booking, bail, and the advisement hearing. Remember, you have the right to remain silent!

The Steps of a Criminal Case, Part II

Kinaree Eichner continues her discussion on what to expect during a criminal case. In Part II, she goes over the preliminary hearings, dispositional conferences, plea bargains, motions, and trial.

Jury Selection

Sometimes trials are won before they really start. Kinaree Eichner goes over how to pick the best jury to protect your rights.

Opening & Closing Arguments

Once the jury is selected, the real arguments begin. Opening and closing arguments are essential in communicating facts to the jury. Kinaree Eichner walks you through the process.

What is the Constitution?

You might have heard of the Constitution on TV, in the news, or in history class. But what is it exactly? First, the history: it all started back in 1788 when a group of representatives from each of the American colonies came together to form a new, united government. These representatives are often referred to as the “founding fathers” – and they met to write the Constitution, which is, by the way, 4,543 words long, but who’s counting?

What is the Difference between the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

The Constitution set up rules and regulations for the U.S. government, but it didn’t really talk about what the government can do to you or for you. So, two years after the Constitution was written, the founding fathers agreed to add 10 new “amendments.” An amendment means an addition. They didn’t want to change the Constitution, so instead, they added new sections.

What is a Constitutional Amendment?

There have been 27 amendments since the Constitution was written. Passing an amendment is not easy but many amendments have made huge improvements for our country, like abolishing slavery and giving women the right to vote.

The First Amendment: Freedom of Speech and Religion

Speech means more than just what we say. The Supreme Court says that freedom of speech includes the ability to protest (even at school), dress a certain way, and create music, movies, and TV shows the way we imagine.

Police Encounters, Arrest Warrants, and Search Warrants

An arrest warrant is a piece of paper signed by a judge that allows the police to arrest you and take you to jail. But to get that arrest warrant the police need more than just suspicion. They would need to explain to a judge that they have a good reason to believe you committed a crime. That is called “probable cause.” That means that a reasonable person would be believe that criminal activity has taken place. That arrest warrant is based on the 4th amendment and is supposed to protect you from unlawful arrest.

The Story of LYRIC

Colorado Public Television presents the story of Hannah Seigel Proff, co-founder of LYRIC, Learn Your Rights in Colorado (now Learn Your Rights in the Community). LYRIC is designed to help youth to learn their constitutional rights in classrooms, community settings, and juvenile justice facilities.