SACRAMENTO DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

Citizens Academy

Summary of Classes

In partnership with

SACRAMENTO SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT

SPRING 2009

 

DRAFT

 

Week One:     Welcome:  Introduction on Citizens Academy and “It Takes a

4/14/09            Community…” What can a concerned citizen do to make our community a better place to live?

 

Summary:  Welcome to Citizens Academy with an overview of the next ten weeks and the participating agencies.

                                                                          

 

Week Two:     The Role of the District Attorney and Challenges:  “Law & Order”

4/21/09             

Summary:  While prime time television shows such as “Law & Order” capture ratings and audiences, they fail to show the day-to-day work of the District Attorney.  We will provide an overview of the District Attorney’s Office and its Mission:  Seek Justice, Serve Justice, Do Justice.  Learn about the various units in the office, filing decisions, case resolutions and challenges facing prosecutors today.

 

           

Week Three:  Role of Law Enforcement and Internal Affairs:  “To Serve and Protect”

4/28/09           

Summary:  Summary:  Over the years, the role of law enforcement has expanded to meet the changing and growing needs of the community.  We will discuss with police and sheriff representatives the roles and perspectives of law enforcement, the Reviews Boards, and the District Attorney’s role, as well as outreach to the diverse communities.  Internal Affairs representatives will discuss their role, departments and process.                

 

                       

Week Four:    Special Challenges of Prosecution --- Three Strikes; Special

5/5/09              Circumstances; 10/20/Life; Domestic Violence and Victim Witness Unit

Summary:  What are some of the unique challenges faced by the District Attorney’s Office?  How are Three Strikes cases decided?  How do we handle Domestic Violence cases?  We will talk about these issues and the services we offer victims.

 

 

                        Field Trip – Sacramento Police Department’s Communication Center (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) Tour of Communication Center & Use of Force and Defense training

                        9:00 –9:15 overview Communications Center

                        9:15 – 10:00  ACB & Taser  demonstration – (Arrest, control, baton)

                        10:15- 11:00  Verbal Judo

                        11:15 – 12:00  Canine demo

 

Week Five:     Race as a Factor in the Criminal Justice System

5/12/09           

Summary:   The issue of race continues to be raised on complex issues such as racial profiling.  Learn about law enforcement training on racial profiling and efforts to open lines of communication between law enforcement and the communities they serve.  The commission addressing racial profiling, a study on patrol stops and relevance of race in prosecution will be discussed.

 

                        Field Trip – District Attorney’s Office, Sacramento County Jail,  Sacramento Superior Court, and the Public Defender’s Office  (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

                       

Visit/Tour of District Attorney’s Office

                                    Visit/Tour of Jail Facilities & Booking Process

                                     Lunch – Courthouse Dept. 46 (6th Floor)

                                     Visit/Tour of Courthouse: Dept. 4, Jury Lounge

                                     Tour Public Defender’s Office                             

     

 Week Six:     Federal Criminal Justice System

5/19/09             

Summary:   We will be focusing on the federal system of justice and how it differs from the state system.  How is it decided whether a case is prosecuted federally or in state court?

                         

Week Seven:  The Hypothetical Case:  Anatomy of a Criminal Case

5/26/09             From Offense … Investigation … Trial … to Sentencing – “The Big Picture”

 

Summary:  Presenters will engage in the analysis of a hypothetical case -- from the offense, investigation, arrest, trial (prosecution & defense), to sentencing and probation.  The speakers talk about their various roles in the criminal justice system and the issues involved.  They will demonstrate how they would handle the hypothetical case and then discuss with the class their individual prospective.

 

Week Eight:   The Judicial System:  “… and Justice for All”

6/2/09           

Summary:  Our court system exists to serve the people by providing an impartial and accessible forum for prosecuting those charged with crimes, resolving the civil disputes of citizens and organizations, interpreting our laws, and protecting the rights and liberties guaranteed by our state and federal constitutions.  Consultants from Week Seven will share their insight based on real life challenges of the various roles involved in the hypothetical case.

                       

Week Nine:    Community Focus and Gangs

6/9/09           

Summary:   There is much more to the criminal justice system than the high profile cases we see on television or read about in the newspaper.  Learn about a special unit which focuses on street gangs.  What constitutes a gang?  Who are the members?  What does it mean to be a “gang” member?  What can communities do to help prevent this problem and combat it today?  These are a few of the issues to be addressed.

           

Week Ten:     Building Bridges and Partnerships:  Community Policing,

6/16/09              and Community Participation – “From Rhetoric to Reality – Where do We Go from Here?”

Graduation

Summary:  Reflections on the first nine weeks and a look forward to continue the dialogue.  Closing remarks on community involvement and participation to achieve long-term public safety solutions and strategies.   Graduation reception and ceremony.