This handbook provides background information and classroom activities that teachers can use to help students in grades 6-8 understand the New Mexico court system. Although intended for use in New Mexico, a great deal of the information provided can be used by teachers in other states. The information and activities can be incorporated into curricular areas such as civics, U.S. history, government, and social studies. A variety of resources are included. The handbook opens with narrative explanations of New Mexico's judicial history, the court system, and civil and criminal procedure. Tips for using lawyers and law related resource people in the classroom are then presented. So that students can learn the fundamentals of trial procedure before being introduced to all the elements of attorney questioning techniques, a scripted mock trial is included. Students can read it like a play. Four cases of relevance to young children are presented in pro-se court simulations. Simplified rules of evidence are discussed. A criminal law mock trial and a family law mock trial are provided. To help students learn about plea bargaining and practice representing their own point of view, a plea bargaining simulation is presented. An appellate court role play and a simulation dealing with juvenile hall are included. The handbook concludes with a glossary of legal terms. (Author/RM)