| For Immediate Release
July 31, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
OCDA HOSTS 9TH ANNUAL SUMMER YOUTH EDUCATION CONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SANTA ANA – Local Orange County 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 9th Annual Summer Youth Education Conference. This weeklong program will begin Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. and will include 35-40 hours of hands-on activities, culminating in a mock trial and a graduation ceremony on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009.
“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 in helping these kids choose a positive path. Some of these students may serve our community and become the next generation of prosecutors, police officers, and judges.”
The Summer Youth Education Conference allows students interested in law enforcement to gain a better understanding of how the criminal justice system works. Students will have an opportunity to visit numerous government agencies and network with criminal justice professionals. The participants will visit the Santa Ana Police Department, the Federal Courthouse, a judge’s chamber, the Orange County Sheriff’s Training Facility, and the Coroner’s office. Educational workshops will be presented by police officers, OCDA investigators, prosecutors, a public defender, community agencies, and other criminal justice professionals. To date, over 250 high school students from 70 high schools have participated in the weeklong program.
Applications for the program are accepted from students who exhibit an interest in learning about the legal and criminal justice system are selected to participate. Anyone interested in applying for the 2010 conference can visit the Orange County District Attorney’s website at www.orangecountyda.com and select “Summer Youth Education Conference” under “Education and Resources.” The program is open to Orange County high school students between the ages of 16 and 18 years old.
###