SANTA ANA—Local high school students will have the opportunity next week to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it is like to be a prosecutor, defense attorney, police detective, and investigator during the 19th annual Summer Youth Education Conference. This week long program will begin on Monday, July 23, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. and will include 35 to 40 hours of hands-on activities, culminating in a mock trial and graduation ceremony on Friday, July 27, 2018.
“This exceptional program gives students a week-long behind the scenes experience at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office during a pivotal time in their education, when they are considering colleges and potential career paths,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “We may very well have some future prosecutors, police officers, and judges come out of this very group, which is exciting.”
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, 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.
This year, 25 students were accepted from throughout Orange County, representing 23 different Orange County high schools. Applications for the program are accepted annually 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 2019 conference can visit the Orange County District Attorney website atwww.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.
