The Missing Curriculum of Justice

In the latest episode of All Things Conflict, I sat down with Courtney Teasley, a true legal disruptor who has spent more than two decades working on the front line of the American criminal defence system. After years of watching people enter the system confused, frightened and completely unprepared, Courtney recognised a glaring gap. There is no meaningful public education about how the legal system works until people are caught up in it themselves.

By then, it is often too late.

The education we’re never given

Most of us are taught about history, science and mathematics at school, but almost nobody is taught how the justice system works.

Courtney calls this the missing curriculum. Without it, people facing arrest or prosecution are expected to navigate an intimidating system while under enormous emotional pressure. It is hardly surprising that they quickly surrender decision making to professionals who appear to hold all the answers.

Justice should never depend on how quickly someone can learn the rules in the middle of a crisis.

When justice becomes a production line

During our conversation, we explored how legal systems can begin to resemble production lines rather than places where justice is carefully considered.

Individuals are processed through a series of procedures that often leave little room for understanding, dignity or participation. People are encouraged to comply rather than engage, reinforcing a culture where agency is gradually stripped away.

When systems prioritise efficiency over humanity, everyone loses.

Following the money

One of the most disturbing parts of our discussion centred on the financial incentives that can drive policing.

I shared a story told to me by a Black police officer who described how some officers built successful careers through repeatedly arresting the same young minority individuals. The resulting overtime created substantial financial rewards, alongside promotions and commendations.

When institutional success is measured by arrests rather than safer communities, we have to ask whether the system is serving justice or sustaining itself.

The hidden cost paid by children

Perhaps the most heartbreaking moment in our conversation was reflecting on what these systems teach children.

I remembered speaking with a seven year old Black boy who told me that if he could have any superpower, it would be the ability to turn white whenever a police officer approached him.

No child should grow up believing their identity places them in danger.

The emotional consequences of systemic fear can last for generations, shaping confidence, belonging and trust long before anyone enters a courtroom.

The power of community

Courtney’s work is ultimately about restoring agency.

Knowledge matters, but knowledge shared within a community is even more powerful. When people attend court together, observe proceedings, document what happens and support one another, the balance of power begins to shift.

Justice is strengthened when communities refuse to look away.

Learning from the Mangrove Nine

Our conversation also turned to the extraordinary story of the Mangrove Nine.

Their successful challenge to institutional racism within the British legal system remains one of the most important examples of collective resistance. They demonstrated that ordinary people, standing together, can challenge deeply embedded injustice and change the course of legal history.

Their legacy reminds us that justice has always depended on communities willing to organise, speak up and persist.

Redesigning justice starts with all of us

Justice is not simply about laws or courtrooms. It is about whether ordinary people have the knowledge, confidence and support to participate fully in the systems that shape their lives.

If we want to redesign justice, we must stop expecting people to learn the rules only after the game has begun.

My conversation with Courtney Teasley is both a challenge and an invitation. A challenge to question systems that have gone unexamined for too long, and an invitation to build communities that are informed, connected and empowered.

Because justice should never be something we discover by accident.

It should belong to all of us.

🎙️Listen to the full episode of All Things Conflict: Justice Redesigned as Courtney Teasley and I explore how legal systems shape our lives, why legal education matters, and how communities can reclaim their power. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network.