| For Immediate Release July 30th, 2004 |
Contact: | Jose Morfin (714) 347-8415Linda Le (714) 347-8410 (714) 943-0238 (C) |
LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GET AN UP-CLOSE BEHIND THE SCENES VIEW OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM IN WEEKLONG COURSE
SANTA ANA – Local high school students will find out what it is like to be a prosecutor, defense attorney, police detective, or judge next week when they attend a weeklong program that takes them behind the scenes of the judicial system. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, August 2, 2004, with welcoming remarks at 9:30 a.m. by District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. After a week’s worth of activities (35-40 hours) the students will participate in a mock trial on the morning of Friday, August 6, 2004, with a graduation ceremony to follow at 11:30 a.m.
The 4th Annual Summer Youth Education Conference, sponsored by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, will give local high school students a chance to interact with criminal justice professionals and various law enforcement agencies. This program was designed to provide its participants with an informative view of the progress of a criminal case. Based upon their application, students who exhibited a great interest in learning more about the legal system and its role in the community were selected to participate in the program.
“This program is a great way for young people in our community to learn about the criminal justice system.” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “Working with the youth of our area, especially in underrepresented communities, is extremely important in helping these kids to choose a positive path. Some of these students may become our next generation of prosecutors, police officers, and judges serving our community.”
The participants will have an opportunity to visit the Santa Ana Police Department, a courtroom, a judge’s chambers, the Orange County Sheriff’s Training Facility, and the Coroner’s office. The program will include educational workshops from a police investigator, a prosecutor, a public defender, community agencies and other criminal justice professionals. Students will be provided with a rare opportunity to visit these agencies and network with professionals.
The Government & Community Relations Unit will spearhead this event. District Attorney Rackauckas created the unit in 1999 to link the immigrant community with law enforcement by providing information and education about the criminal justice system.
The District Attorney’s Office thanks organizations who have donated food to the program: Lee Sandwich, Togo’s Sandwiches, Jarritos Drinks, Papa John’s Pizza, Plaza Garibaldi Restaurant, Honda Dealer in Santa Ana and Wok Stix.
Location: Office of the District Attorney, 1st Floor Library, 401 Civic Center Drive W., Santa Ana, CA 92701.