Community Service Division

The documents that are listed below are educational documents, one is a document that summarizes the different stages of a case in the criminal justice system and the others are safety tips to help prevent future crimes.

SERVING UP JUSTICE

Serving Up Justice is the 79th Judicial District Attorney Office's community outreach project which consists of educational programs aimed at preventing crime by increasing public awareness and educating the community about the criminal justice system. The District Attorney's Office participates in many area events and has many educational programs available.

Crime prevention programs currently available include:

                                   Child Abuse                                   Stranger Danger

                                   Elder Abuse                                   Theft, Fraud, & Identity Theft

                                   Anti-Bullying                                 Domestic Violence

                                   Firearm Safety                               Anti-Drug/Substance Abuse

                                   Home Protection                           Identity Theft

Educational programs include:

                                  Stages of the Criminal Justice System

                                  Family Violence

                                  Crime Victim's Rights

                                  Careers in Criminal Justice

                                  Self Defense Law in Texas

                                  State of Justice (A periodic report of the DA's office or current issue)

Sponsored programs provided by other organizations include:

                                 Palmer Drug Abuse Program

                                 Brush Country CASA

                                 Crime Stoppers of South Texas

                                 Choose to Change Foundation

                                  Learning for Life Bully-Prevention & Anti-Substance Abuse Program

                                 Child Advocacy Center of the Coastal Bend

                                  The Purple Door (formerly known as Women's Shelter of South Texas)

The Serving Up Justice programs offered range between half an hour and a full day. Each of the programs are presented in an age-appropriate manner depending on the audience to be addressed. The presentations are done by members of the District Attorney's staff including prosecutors, investigators, legal assistants, and crime victim's advocates.

Future Developments of the Serving Up Justice Program

The District Attorney's Office is looking to increase the Serving Up Justice resources by recruiting volunteers from our community to assist us. We are also looking for sponsors to help provide food and activities at future events. Some ideas for future programs include adding a meal with one of the programs. 

Scheduling a Serving Up Justice Program

If you are interested in scheduling a Serving Up Justice Program, volunteering, or becoming a sponsoring, please call the District Attorney's Office at (361)668-5716 and ask for Vivian or Valerie. Please note that time slots are limited throughout the year due to the caseloads, court settings, pre-trial preparation matters, and other conflicts in the normal schedule of the District Attorney's Office.

Summer Internship Program

The District Attorney's Office will be accepting applications for the Summer Internship Program on May 1st of each year. The Internship program will run from June 1st through August 31st of each year. The program is open to college, graduate, and law students who are residents of Jim Wells or Brooks County. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Applications should be submitted to Vivian Lara, Office Manager. Applicants who have already submitted applications for part-time summer employment do not have to re-apply, your original application will be used to consider you for the internship program.