The Gwinnett County District Attorney's Citizen Academy is designed to help create a better understanding of the criminal justice system. The academy is a nine-week program that will immerse people in the judicial process. The session will bring the community together with law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges as the local criminal justice system is far more complex and diverse than most people know. With the Citizens Academy, we can show people not only the role of the District Attorney’s Office but also open the process to them, helping to create a more informed and enlightened community.

Sessions will be held every Tuesday in the GJAC Jury Assembly Room located in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center from Tuesday, September 30, to Tuesday, December 2, from 6:00pm – 8:30pm.

The academy will meet on the following dates:

• September 30, 2025
• October 7, 2025
• October 14, 2025
• October 21, 2025
• October 28, 2025
• November 4, 2025
• November 18, 2025
• November 25, 2025
• December 2, 2025
• December 9, 2025 - Graduation

For questions about the application process or additional information, please contact Terrell Patrick, Director of Community Outreach and Partnerships, at Terrell.Patrick@GwinnettCounty.com or contact the District Attorney's Office at 770.822.7383.

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Residents interested in participating in the academy must meet the following criteria:

• Must be 18 years or older and be a resident and/or business owner in Gwinnett, or attend a Gwinnett college or university.
• Have an interest in learning about the criminal justice system.
• Attend all sessions (Maximum of two excused absences with make-up during the next session).
• Participants are required to attend Graduation.
• Participants can't have a criminal record.

To get the most optimal experience from the District Attorney’s Office Citizens Academy, participants are expected to attend all sessions. Participants may only miss two sessions to graduate from the program. The Orientation and Graduation are required.