CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (WINA) – The Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is accepting applications for its first-ever community academy. The seven week no-cost program is designed to provide community members with an inside look at their local criminal justice system and the daily operations of the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

“We’re really very excited to reach out and engage with community members and let them see a peek behind the curtain of how their prosecutor’s office runs,” says Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania. “Because it’s their office. It’s the community’s office.”

The program will track a hypothetical criminal case from investigation to sentencing. Subjects will include the needs of victims and harmed individuals, plus look at diversion and rehabilitation. That by way of presentations by forensics technicians and detectives who, together, build a case with prosecutors. They will also hear from parole officers, judges, defense attorneys, and visit the local jail.

To be considered, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the City of Charlottesville. To apply, visit Charlottesville.gov or call 970-3179. More information can also be viewed HERE, and the application can be found HERE.