D.A. Devon Anderson, along with other Assistant District Attorney’s, will kick off the Junior District Attorney Academy Program on Tuesday. The program is part of a concerted effort to offer students, who are just beginning to explore career options, a glimpse into the profession.
The program will teach fifth grade students from accredited schools within Harris County on a quarterly basis about the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. The students will meet various prosecutors, including the District Attorney, and are exposed to various components of the criminal justice system. The goal of the program is to provide students with a basic understanding of the criminal justice system. It is extremely important to empower our youth with knowledge, so that they can make educated life choices and decisions.
Kicking things off, the District Attorney’s Office will host 100 fifth grade students from Bastian Elementary School. Students will learn about several divisions in the office, including the Animal Cruelty Division, Gang Division and Technical Services over the next four weeks. The students will have a graduation ceremony where they will receive an award for completing the academy.
Other interested schools can apply by contacting HCDAO’s Public Relations Department at (713) 274-5936.
The Junior District Attorney Academy is a crime prevention and educational program designed to provide elementary students with an overview of the criminal justice system by allowing them to interact with various divisions. The program promotes the importance of education, unique skills required for various careers, as well as diverse career paths in law. Through our community outreach efforts, our goal is to spark interest in the legal profession for youth, to increase racial and economic diversity in the legal profession.
