Date: July 31, 2015
OCDA HOSTS 16TH ANNUAL SUMMER YOUTH EDUCATION CONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will host local high school students that will have the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a prosecutor, defense attorney, police detective, and judge next week during the 16th annual Summer Youth Education Conference. This week-long program begins Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. and includes 35 to 40 hours of hands-on activities culminating in a mock trial and graduation ceremony on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015.
“This program offers a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the criminal justice system,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “It is important to continue working with local teens and demonstrating the positive impact that they can make on society, because they may end up serving our community by becoming the next generation of prosecutors, police officers, and judges.”
Out of more than 85 applicants 28 students were accepted. These students come from 23 different Orange County high schools.
The selected students will have the opportunity to visit government agencies and network with criminal justice professionals. The participants will visit the Santa Ana Police Department, Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Tactical Training Center, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, and Orange County Juvenile Hall. Educational workshops will be presented by investigators, prosecutors, community agencies, and other criminal justice professionals.
Applications for the program are accepted yearly and students who exhibit an interest in learning about the legal and criminal justice system are selected to participate. Anyone interested in applying for the 2016 conference can visit the Orange County District Attorney website at www.orangecountyda.org and select “Government and Community Relations” under “DA Office.” The program is open to high school students between 16 and 18 years old.