Students attend a presentation by professionals in the Sacramento County criminal justice system during a previous Criminal Justice Shadow Day. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – High school students in Sacramento County can shadow an array of positions within the criminal justice system through a pairing process at this year’s Criminal Justice Shadow Day and Crime Lab Shadow Day, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. The one-day events are on July 11 and July 25. Spaces are limited and the deadline to register for both events is June 27.

The DA’s office partnered with different programs agencies to coordinate a comprehensive and engaging learning experience and has offered the program for many years.

According to the DA’s office, the DA’s Youth Academy has had great success and an overwhelming positive response from the thousands of students reached from schools and neighborhoods across the county.

The program’s goal is to encourage students to pursue a career within the criminal justice system and steer them away from criminal conduct, according to the DA’s office.

The Criminal Justice Shadow Day takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 11 at the Jan Scully Training Center on 906 G St., Sacramento, according to a flier from the DA’s office.

For the Criminal Justice Shadow Day, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, probation officers, law enforcement officers, investigators and judges will provide students with first-hand experience regarding different processes in the criminal justice system, according to the DA’s office.

The Crime Lab Shadow Day classes will take place on July 25 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch provided between noon and 1 p.m.

Two sessions will be offered for the Crime Lab Shadow Day with one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Registration for each session will take place 30 minutes prior to the start of the class and lunch will be provided during both sessions, according to the DA’s office.

During the Crime Lab Shadow Day, students can expect to learn the importance of evidence preservation and the chain of custody, observe bullet trajectory and presumptive blood testing, review crime scene investigations and see real drug chemistry in play, according to the DA’s website.

The programs are free and representatives are provided by partnering agencies. They benefit high school students, the criminal justice system and the community at large, according to the DA’s office.

To register for the Criminal Justice Shadow Day event or the Crime Lab Shadow Day event, visit sacda.org, under the “In the Community” tab. Spaces are limited and the deadline to register for both events is June 27.

The DA’s Youth Academy will begin accepting applications in the fall.