Montgomery County DA’s Office Kicks Off Annual Citizens Prosecutors Academy

CONROE, TX -- The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office is accepting applicants to attend the 2017 Citizen Prosecutor Academy.

The 11-week course begins on Jan. 23, 2017 and conclude with a graduation ceremony for participants April 10.

This new class will the the third offered since 2014 and provides a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in the District Attorney's Office.

"We believe so much in the mission and purpose of the citizens academy because we recognize the public has such an important role in public safety and that we are more effective in seeing that justice is done when the community understands what our role is," Assistant DA Tiana Sanford told the Houston Chronicle. "It's not a one-way street because we actually get to hear from them, too, and engage in problem solving."

The prosecutors academy, have become common in many urban communities in the U.S., and followed the popularity of Citizens Police Academies and Citizens Fire Academies that drew residents to become more community involved in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Applicants in the prosecutor’s academy will learn about a variety of topics including murder investigations, human trafficking, grand jury, Internet crimes against children and the anatomy of a criminal jury trial, while hearing from experienced investigators and criminal prosecutors who investigate these crimes.

"I am really excited to kick off our third annual academy so that more citizens of Montgomery County can get a closer look at what we are doing each day to keep our county safe," District Attorney Brett Ligon said. "This program continues to be a fun and educational experience for anyone who is looking to learn more about how a district attorney's office fits in the criminal justice process. We are continuously growing and have the best DA's office in the state. I can't wait for this new class to see why."

Those wishing to apply should visit www.mctxdao.org and click on "Citizen Prosecutor Academy."

Applications will be accepted for this first class until Nov. 18.

All applicants must be 18 years old and will undergo a criminal background check.

For more information, send an email to DA.Citizen@mctx.org.

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