Criminal Law Literacy Movement
Did you know?
There are thousands of laws pertaining to the criminal justice system? These are laws that well-meaning people break on a daily basis without knowing it. Everyday, thousands of people are, unknowingly, gambling with the law and counting on luck that they won’t get caught on the wrong side of the law. The consequences to individuals and their families, loved ones, are devastating.
Loss of freedom from jailing and imprisonment, financial hardship and bankruptcy, broken families, disenfranchisement and in some cases, being put to death, are just a few of the result.
The simple truth is
Where the legal system and criminal penalties are concerned, knowledge is the ultimate form of prevention. In fact, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound (or a lifetime) of correction.
The Movement
Travis and Trinity Townsend are brothers, attorneys and originators of the When the Cops Come Knockin’: Criminal Law Education Series. Before they earned the credentials to practice law, they (like many people) unknowingly gambled with decisions that could have landed them squarely on the wrong side of the law.
They converted their youthful ignorance of the law into a drive to obtain law degrees. Travis and Trinity transitioned from the hood to the head of the class, from the ghetto to general counsel. Now, they’re using their legal expertise to educate youth and families—in urban, suburban and rural communities—through innovation and attentiveness to what PEOPLE WANT and NEED TO KNOW!
When the Cops Come Knockin’ is a movement to educate all citizens on criminal laws that could mean the difference between freedom or imprisonment, financial hardship or prosperity, and life or death. Travis and Trinity are taking the “ignorance” out of the maxim “ignorance of the law is no excuse.” By promoting criminal law literacy, When the Cops Come Knockin’ teaches citizens to better identify potential criminal activity and empowers them to change course, live law-abiding lives. Also, When the Cops Come Knockin’, informs citizens of their rights, and how to assert and protect them.
Using a groundbreaking approach of communicating complex legal concepts in plain-English, leveraging illustrations and providing examples through relatable scenarios played out by characters anyone can identify with, When the Cops Come Knockin’ successfully removes the mystery of criminal law rules. When the Cops Come Knockin’ is available in multiple educational formats.
- Coursepack and School & Organization Guide, plus Activity Book
- Illustrated Guide to Criminal Law
- Interactive Presentation and Workshop
When the Cops Come Knockin’ is a highly recommended educational tool for:
- Charter Schools
- Secondary and High Schools
- Alternative Education Programs
- Parents Mentors Non-Profit Organizations
- Church Youth Groups
- Community Outreach Programs
- Juvenile Detention and Criminal Rehabilitation Centers
- After School Programs
When the Cops Come Knockin’ drives its mission to reduce criminality and the associated ruinous effects through educational materials that are easily understandable by all, young and old. When the Cops Come Knockin’ uses relatable characters and visual, comic book-style anecdotes to bring everyday criminal law scenarios to life. Through such characters as Malcolm (the oblivious but innocent teenager) and Tamika (the single mom who means well but is punished for making some selfish decisions) Travis and Trinity present a different style of logic for effectively reaching the youth by communicating on their level with real slang and scenarios that resonate in street culture.