San Joaquin County District Attorney

High school students with a nomination by a teacher or counselor. Applications available for download in the spring at this link https://www.sjgov.org/da/dynamic?id=26298

Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) provide services to high school students to learn about the Criminal Justice System through a program operated by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office and the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin.

Open to all high school students, this program provides students with a unique summer learning experience — direct exposure to the justice system in operation. Students also have the opportunity to build professional and academic networks. Graduating from this program also looks great on a college resume. Classes are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Attendance is critical. There are four components to the curriculum:

• Classroom instruction by justice system professionals, including criminal law and procedure, alcohol and traffic laws, career assessment tools, substance abuse, teen dating violence, domestic violence, child support laws, gangs, cyberbullying and social media, the long term importance of education and other relevant topics.
• Students will be paired with a mentor in the justice system in an area of their interest to provide personal guidance and insight into careers within the justice system.
• Students will also observe actual court proceedings, including, civil, criminal matters, drug, family law and DUI courts.
• Field trips will include a tour of the county jail, a live SWAT demonstration and a visit with the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento.

Bus passes available for those students who need transportation to and from the Courthouse.

Applications must include reference letter from a teacher and/or counselor.

The Academy is now being held via Zoom. Please make sure to include your email address when filling out the application in order to receive the room code and password. Login information will be sent to you via email the day before the Academy begins. Please do not share the code as there are limited amount of seats available.

Applications are now being accepted. Send an email to YLA@sjcda.org or mail to YLA c/o District Attorney, 222 East Weber Avenue, Room 202, Stockton, CA 95202.