Date: July 21, 2017
OCDA HOSTS 18TH ANNUAL SUMMER YOUTH EDUCATION CONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
SANTA ANA, Calif. – Local high school students will have the opportunity next week to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a prosecutor, defense attorney, police detective, and judge during the 18th annual Summer Youth Education Conference. This week-long program will begin on Monday, July 24, 2017, at 8:30 a.m., and will include 35 to 40 hours of hands-on activities, culminating in a mock trial and a graduation ceremony on Friday, July 28, 2017.
“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 local teens is extremely important because it inspires them choose positive goals. These students will eventually serve our community as the next generation of prosecutors, police officers, and judges.”
Students will have the opportunity to visit numerous 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.
Twenty-five students were accepted from throughout Orange County, representing 23 different Orange County high schools.
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 2018 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 the ages of 16 and 18 years old.