The Institute
About Quasi-Legal Institute
Free readings and practice activities about constitutional rights, written for students.
What the site covers
The Institute explains all 27 constitutional amendments, with particular attention to speech, searches, police questioning, and equal treatment. Readings include the constitutional text, explanations of key phrases, and cases that show how courts have interpreted it.
The materials are free to use and do not require an account.
Who runs the Institute
Daniel McCombs is the director of Quasi-Legal Institute Incorporated, based in Madison, Wisconsin. Questions about the organization or its materials can be sent directly to danielmccombsbusiness@gmail.com.
The purpose of the name
Quasi-Legal refers to the gap between the law on paper and what happens in practice. A right can work differently in a school office, during a traffic stop, or in a courtroom. The readings explore those differences and the limits of each protection.
Sources and corrections
Readings distinguish the amendment’s original text from the site’s explanation. Each includes case citations and a link to the Library of Congress’s Constitution Annotated. The sources page explains where to find constitutional text, opinions, and additional teaching materials.
If you find an error, email the director with the page title, the passage, and a source for the correction. Laws and court decisions change; check the linked sources when using a reading for research.
Educational scope
The Institute is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. Its materials do not create an attorney-client relationship. The organization is not affiliated with a political party.