Civics Ed Documentaries
In addition to short, educational videos and lesson plans, Teach With TVW also produces documentaries to help students understand how their state government works by taking a deeper look into issues affecting the state.
Civics Topic: Judicial Branch
The Rule of Law and State Courts
Overview: In this lesson, students will examine the role of state courts in preserving democracy. They will learn about the importance of the rule of law, breaking it down into five distinct components, analyzing them at each court level. Students will examine what types of cases each court level hears, thinking about how the court system protects the rule of law. Throughout the lesson, students will interrogate their own preconceived notions about how the law works in Washington. By hearing from real judges who work at each court level, students will learn about the importance of the state court system in preserving the rule of law. Throughout the lesson, there are many options for whole class or small group discussion, providing opportunities for formative assessment. At the end of the lesson, students will showcase what they have learned by writing an evidentiary paragraph about state courts and the rule of law Essential Questions: Objectives:
Washington State Supreme Justice Documentary
Overview: This video takes viewers inside the Washington State Supreme Court to follow the real-life case of Kevin Gardner, an armored truck driver fired after breaking company policy to save a hostage during a bank attack. Through oral arguments, judicial deliberations, and the court’s final ruling, the program explains how the state’s highest court interprets the law, selects cases, and shapes legal precedent. Viewers gain a deeper understanding of appellate courts, judicial decision-making, public policy, and the role of the judiciary in balancing legal rules with questions of ethics, safety, and human responsibility.
Coming Together Again: Therapeutic Courts in WA
Overview: This video explores how therapeutic and mental health courts are transforming the justice system by focusing on treatment, accountability, and recovery instead of punishment alone. Through personal stories, judges, court coordinators, and participants explain how mental illness, addiction, and trauma often contribute to criminal behavior—and how community courts provide support, housing, counseling, and treatment to help people rebuild their lives. The documentary highlights lower recidivism rates, stronger community outcomes, and the human impact of seeing people as individuals rather than case numbers.
More Than Their Crimes: Reforming Juvenile Justice in Washington State
Overview: This video follows young people at Washington’s Green Hill School as they share their experiences with incarceration, rehabilitation, and advocacy for juvenile justice reform. Through personal stories, students explore how counseling, education, and supportive programs helped them rethink their futures and find purpose beyond their past mistakes. The video also highlights their work with lawmakers on Senate Bill 6160, a juvenile justice reform bill focused on rehabilitation, brain science, and reducing recidivism. Viewers gain insight into the challenges facing incarcerated youth and the power of civic engagement, second chances, and restorative approaches to justice.
Isidore Starr: Leading a Revolution in Civics
Overview: This video explores the groundbreaking work of educator Isidore Starr and his efforts to transform civics education from rote memorization into active, issue-based learning. Through discussions of Supreme Court cases, mock trials, and controversial issues, Starr empowered students to think critically about liberty, justice, equality, property, and power. Set against the backdrop of McCarthy-era fear and censorship, the video highlights how Starr’s innovative approach helped shape modern civic and law-related education, encouraging students to embrace their role as informed and engaged citizens. Created in collaboration with the Centre for Education, Law & Society, Simon Fraser University.
Superior Court – WA Courts
Superior Courts are the highest trial court in Washington State. They hear the most serious of crimes, felonies, as well as civil cases over $100,000. In this video, you will hear from Judge Loring of San Juan Superior Court and Judge Tutsch of Yakima Superior Court. They discuss the complexities of the cases they hear as well as the legislative boundaries in sentencing they must follow.
District & Municipal Courts – WA Courts
Together, district and municipal courts are known as the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction. District courts are county courts, while municipal courts are city courts. These courts are called limited jurisdiction because they are limited in their ability to hear only lower level offenses: infractions, misdemeanors, and gross misdemeanors. Additionally, district courts hear civil cases up to $100,000. Washington courts are leveled, and this lowest level of courts hears the majority of cases filed in Washington.
Court of Appeals – WA Courts
Established by law in the late 1960s, the Court of Appeals handles the bulk of appeals in Washington State. Everyone is entitled to an appeal in both criminal and civil cases. If someone thinks there has been a legal or procedural error in their case at the trial level, their case will most likely end up at the Court of Appeals. Hear from Division 1 Judge Cecily Hazelrigg as she discusses how the Court of Appeals operates and why judicial independence is so important.
The Supreme Court – WA Courts
The Washington State Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. It provides the final interpretation of state law. Learn from Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice, Debra Stephens, as she explains how the court works, the importance of judicial precedents, and the other critical roles the Supreme Court plays in Washington.