Walnut Creek residents can get a behind-the-scenes look at the county's criminal justice system this fall through a free 10-week program run by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.
The Community Academy meets every Wednesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m., starting Wednesday, September 9 and running through Wednesday, November 4. Sessions are held at the DA's Office at 900 Ward St. in Martinez.
The program is free. It's open to any adult who lives or works in Contra Costa County. Applicants must complete an application and pass a background check.
What participants will learn
Weekly classroom sessions cover how criminal cases are filed, the types of crimes the DA's Office investigates and prosecutes, and the office's broader role beyond prosecution, according to the DA's Office website.
Participants will hear from District Attorney Diana Becton, the Public Defender, a judge, prosecutors, and police chiefs. The program also includes tours of the Martinez Detention Facility and the Contra Costa County Superior Court.
The DA's Office said the academy aims to build stronger community ties and give participants a thorough understanding of how the criminal justice system works.
A program with a track record
The Community Academy has run spring and fall sessions for several years. A Spring 2026 cohort graduated earlier this year, according to a DA's Office social media post, and the office is now accepting applications for the fall session.
Becton took office in 2017 after serving more than two decades as a judge and was elected to the position in June 2018.
How to apply
No application deadline has been publicly posted. Interested residents can email [email protected] for application materials or questions.
Upcoming community events
- Wednesday, September 9: Community Academy begins, 6–8:30 p.m., 900 Ward St., Martinez
- Thursday, September 10: Free county resource fair in Martinez (details in our earlier coverage)
