Introduction: Turning 18 in California

Bring “When You Turn 18: A Legal Survival Guide” to your classroom. California judges value this resource produced by the California Lawyers Foundation so much that they have now incorporated it into a "Judges in the Classroom" lesson for high school classrooms.

 

Turning 18 marks an exciting milestone—it’s the moment one officially becomes an adult under the law. Along with new freedoms come essential legal responsibilities.

This presentation will help students understand the rights and obligations that begin on one's 18th birthday—whether signing a lease, getting behind the wheel, making financial decisions, or exploring new relationships.
 

By the end of this session, students will know what it means to:
 

• Enter into contracts and manage their own property

• Make independent decisions about education, health care, and finances

• Participate in civic life by voting or serving on a jury

• Stay informed about California laws on driving, privacy, and digital conduct

• Protect their rights while respecting the rights of others
   

The goal is to prepare every student to step confidently into adulthood—empowered, informed, and ready to make informed choices.

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Teachers, request that this information be presented to your classroom! Submit a request here.  
 

Print versions of the Guide in English and Spanish are available on the California Lawyers Foundation's website.

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