JOHN R. ROACH
CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COLLIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE
210 S. McDONALD, SUITE 324
McKINNEY, TEXAS 75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Leigh Hornsby, 972-548-4772

Septemeber 1, 2004

Collin County Criminal District Attorney announces first Citizen Prosecutor Academy

(McKinney, TX) -- The Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s office will begin its first Citizen Prosecutor Academy on September 9th. Following a thorough and intensive selection process, 25 persons were selected for the inaugural class.

“This is a new avenue for discovery, involvement and leadership available for residents of Collin County,” says District Attorney John Roach. “We wanted to create a way for the community to learn more about the judicial process and walk away with a better understanding of the criminal prosecution process and the Collin County DA’s office.”

Experts from various divisions of the District Attorney’s office and other law enforcement agencies will conduct classes and presentations each Thursday night for eight weeks. “Class members will learn about criminal case prosecution from intake and grand jury through trial to appeal,” says Roach.

Following the inaugural class, two Citizen Prosecutor Academies will be held every year in the spring and fall. Class size is limited to approximately 25 people, and the selection process includes a criminal background check. Application forms and additional information can be found at www.collincountyda.com or by calling 972-548-4330.

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