People's Law School | 2023
Baylor Law will host the People's Law School on February 11, 2023 from 9:00am - 12:45pm. The People's Law School offers a half-day curriculum of courses designed to educate consumers about their legal rights and to make the law "user-friendly." The courses are taught by volunteer attorneys and legal experts.
The People's Law School has become an annual event sponsored by Baylor Law and other organizations for the benefit of the Central Texas community. It is absolutely free to attend and is your opportunity to learn some fundamentals that may help you in your day-to-day personal and business life or satisfy your curiosity about the law and how it works.
Full Course List
9:15 AM to 10:15 AM
Consumer Rights and Remedies in Building or Remodeling a Home
A consumer’s home is almost always their largest asset. Whether building from the ground up, adding on an addition, or simply updating a kitchen, not knowing your legal rights can result in unforeseen expenses, damages or even loss of the home. The instructor for this class will provide an overview of the consumer’s rights and remedies as they deal with contractors, lenders and other parties in these stressful transactions.
Don’t Learn Your Law from the Movies
Hollywood tends to take a great deal of creative license in portraying the law, which can result in misunderstandings about the law, as well as how trials actually work. Through a series of clips from movies and television shows, the instructor will illustrate what Hollywood gets wrong (and sometimes right) about the law.
Family Law I: Divorce
The instructor of this course will provide a brief overview of divorce, protective orders, and related issues under Texas law.
Your ‘Side Gig’: Tax Traps for the Unwary in the Digital Economy
The internet allows individuals to engage in business and investment transactions with ease. Whether trading stocks or cryptocurrency, selling homemade items on Etsy, or driving for Uber, these activities have income tax consequence that will be discussed in this course.
Misunderstandings, Myths, and Half-Truths about the U.S. Supreme Court
The United State Supreme Court plays a front and center place in many of the hot-button legal issues in our nation. Despite the heavy media coverage, many in our nation are not knowledgeable about the nature of the case docket of the Court, about how the Court processes and decides upon issues presented to it, about its relationship to the President and the Congress, and about the judicial philosophy of its justices. This session will focus upon these issues, including the dispelling of various misunderstandings, myths, and half-truths about the Court.
Starting Your Business
This course provides information for those planning on starting a business, particularly Texas entrepreneurs, including the difference between sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations and tips to avoid legal pitfalls.
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Law & Order – The Real DA’s Office
Is it really like it is on TV? What does your District Attorney’s office do on a daily basis? How many prosecutors work in McLennan County, what types of cases to they handle, what’s a real plea bargain, and many other burning questions will be answered!
Landlord/Tenant Law
This course will provide valuable information for both Texas landlords and tenants on the Fair Housing Act; security deposits; the landlord’s responsibility for repairs; and eviction. The instructor will also address how the COVID pandemic has affected the rights of landlords and tenants.
Pulling Back the Curtain: Understanding How State Agencies Affect Your Life
State agencies affect the lives of all citizens, but many people do not understand how state agencies act, how they affect citizens' lives, or how citizens can benefit from the work that state agencies do. This class will provide an overview of Texas state agencies, how they work, and how citizens can learn to navigate agency regulations and websites for their benefit.
Family Law II: Issues Related to Children
In this course, participants will learn about Texas law regarding child custody and visitation duties and rights, child support, and grandparent's rights.
Wills and Estate Planning
Everyone should have a will. Students in this course will learn the requirements of a valid will and basic estate planning considerations. The instructor will additionally cover the new SECURE Act as well as special needs children’s trusts.
City Government 101
Open Records Act, Open Meetings Act, building permits, zoning notices—city government can be quite mind-boggling. In the course, attendees will have an inside look at city government with an opportunity to understand what your city government does for you, who does what in city government and how better to work with city officials.
11:45 AM to 12:45 PM
Insurance Law: What Coverage You Thought You Had but Didn’t Get
This course will cover basics questions about insurance policies (including typical coverage in auto, home and general liability insurance policies), as well as claims, and your rights as an insured.
Know Your Rights
This course will provide valuable information on your constitutional rights as an activist or everyday person to build awareness of what to expect from interactions with law enforcement.
Texas Marital Property: What is it and How to Protect It
This course is for individuals who want to learn about marital property law and how it relates to the assets and debts and spouses. What determines whether something is community property or separate property? Can a premarital agreement change the nature of the property? What about post-marital agreements? This course will provide a general overview of the law in this area.
Blockchain and Digital Assets 101: Breaking Down the Basics
Blockchain, Metaverse, Cryptocurrency, NFTs ... what does it all mean, and why should you care? In this presentation, we will cover the basics of Web3 technology, including fundamental concepts around blockchain technology and the many use cases that have developed since the world's first ever cryptocurrency and blockchain network, Bitcoin, launched over a decade ago. As the landscape for digital assets continues to grow in popularity, join this presentation to learn of the latest applications and opportunities, as well as the risks surrounding it.
Elder Law
This course provides an overview of issues important to senior citizens and those who care about them, including a review of long-term care planning, including Medicaid eligibility.
Navigating the Court System from Arrest to Prosecution
Course Description to Come