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Virginia Rules is about the rules we live by in Virginia.

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What is Virginia Rules?

Designed especially for teens, Virginia Rules provides information about the laws in Virginia with particular emphasis on how they apply to teens in their day-to-day lives.

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Areas of Focus

Introduction to Laws in Virginia
Why there are laws, where laws come from, how laws are made, and how citizens can have a role in making and changing laws.

Introduction to Virginia’s Judicial System
How courts are organized in Virginia, what the different courts do, how cases are brought to and heard in local courts, and how judges are appointed in Virginia.

Introduction to Juvenile Justice in Virginia
Why there is a juvenile justice system, how the juvenile system differs from the adult system, the juvenile justice process, types of hearings, when a juvenile can be detained, and consequences of committing a crime.

Introduction to a Virginia Courtroom
Roles and responsibilities of persons in a Virginia courtroom.

Criminal Law Basics
How crimes are defined in law, categories of crimes, penalties for violating the law, and legal and hidden consequences for committing a crime.

Civil Law Basics
What civil law is, what torts are, parents’ liability in Virginia, and contracts and who can make them in Virginia.

Legal Rights of Juveniles
An overview of the basic rights of juveniles in court.

Crimes Against Persons
Types of crimes involving physical harm or force applied to another person and penalties for these crimes.

Property Crimes
Types of crimes involving taking or destroying property and penalties involved.

Student Responsibilities
Responsibilities of students to attend and behave at school, authority of schools to set rules and take disciplinary action, consequences of violating school rules and breaking laws, and how schools and law enforcement agencies work together.

Keeping Your Driver’s License
What juveniles must do to keep the privilege of driving, consequences of driving violations, Virginia’s “zero tolerance” laws, parents’ authority related to driving privilege, and tips for driving safely.

Virginia's Child Labor Laws
The laws and regulations that govern work by those under 18, what types of work are allowed, and how to obtain a permit.

Family Relationships and the Law
What the law says about the relationship between teens and their parents, the authority, responsibilities, and liability of parents, how Virginia law defines Children in Need of Supervision and Children in Need of Services, and child abuse and neglect.

Bullying
What bullying is and the crimes associated with bullying, understanding that harm of bullying, and what teens can do if they or someone they know is bullied.

Gangs
How gangs are defined in Virginia law, other laws addressing gangs, gang-related crimes, recognizing gangs, reasons people join gangs, and strategies for resisting gang involvement.

Teens and Violence
How violence affects teens, violent crimes and their consequences, and what teens can do about violence.

Dating Violence
What dating violence is and its forms, warning signs for dating violence, what teens can do, and assistance available.

Alcohol and Tobacco
Virginia laws restricting and legal penalties associated with underage alcohol and tobacco possession and use, health and safety risks of underage drinking, and strategies for staying safe and sober.

Drugs
The laws governing use and possession of drugs, including prescription drugs and household products, and the penalties involved.

Technology and You
Hazards on the Internet, cyberbullying, sexting, and tips for safe internet surfing.

Victims’ Rights
Provisions of Virginia’s Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act, types of victim or witness services available in Virginia communities and optional content on domestic and sexual violence.

Teens and Crime Prevention
The impact of crime on teens, personal safety strategies for reducing their likelihood of becoming victims and opportunities for them to become involved in crime prevention activities in their schools and communities.