The Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council (APAAC) is proud to partner with the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona to host the annual Prosecutor Academy, providing law students an immersive experience regarding what it is really like to be a prosecutor. Did you know . . . prosecutors do not represent either the victim or law enforcement. Rather, prosecutors are “ministers of justice” whose focus is to ensure that the rights of all are protected, and that justice is done. Law students participating in the Academy gain an understanding of what it means to be a minister of justice by shadowing prosecutors, witnessing courtroom dynamics, drafting motions, and participating in mock trials.
ASU and UA incoming 1Ls, in addition to rising 2Ls and 3Ls, are eligible to attend the 3-day Prosecutor Academy held at prosecution offices across Arizona. Law students who previously attended the Prosecutor Academy are welcome to apply to attend again. The 2026 Prosecutor Academy will be held August 3-5, 2026.
2026 Arizona Prosecutor Academy Host Offices
Arizona Attorney General’s Office – Phoenix
Students will meet and work with the criminal sections of the Attorney General's Office in Phoenix, which consist of: Drug & Racketeering Enforcement Section (DRG), a team that works with state and federal law enforcement partners to prosecute major drug trafficking organizations; Financial Remedies Section (FRS), a section that combats the impact of racketeering crimes affecting the general public, individual and public agency victims, and is responsible for litigating cases related to forfeiture actions; Fraud & Special Prosecutions Section (FSP), a robust section tackling major fraud crimes throughout the state, to include public corruption and election fraud, as well as sexual exploitation and abuse of vulnerable adults; Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Section (HCFA), a group dedicating to investigating allegations of Medicaid fraud as well as patient abuse and neglect within healthcare settings; and the Office of Victim Services (OVS), a leader in promoting healing and advancing the rights of victims of crime.
Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Southern Arizona White Collar Crime and Criminal Enterprise Section - Tucson
The Southern Arizona White Collar and Criminal Enterprise (SAWCCE) section of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is the Tucson-based group that prosecutes the wide variety of crimes handled by the AGO including complex fraud, elder financial exploitation, drug trafficking organizations, internet crimes against children, organized retail theft, public corruption, and conflict cases across six counties in Southern Arizona. Our section also runs a summer clerkship and school year internship in which law students work closely with attorneys in developing and analyzing cases for charging, pre-trial litigation research and writing, and courtroom appearances on substantive motions and felony trials. Students in the Prosecutor Academy will be introduced to the field of prosecution, the specialization of the AGO, and will be taught by and interact with the attorneys, staff, and investigators that make up the office. Although the time will fly, students will leave with a basic understanding of prosecution as a career and an introduction to the Tucson criminal justice community.
The Cochise County Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for Cochise County, which is situated southeast of Tucson. Cochise County shares 80 miles of the international border with Mexico and is home to a diverse population. Sierra Vista is the economic hub and home to Fort Huachuca. Douglas is a vibrant border community that sits directly across from Agua Prieta, Sonora. The historic community of Tombstone was the original county seat and is a popular location for Western enthusiasts. The main office is located in Bisbee, which has been rated as one of the best small towns in America. Prosecutors in the office handle the same types of cases as their counterparts in larger jurisdictions. We prosecute serious cases involving homicide, child molestation, and sexual assault. Our drug unit prosecutes complex drug trafficking organizations. In 2023, the office filed over 1300 felony cases. Considering that the cases are dispersed amongst less than ten felony attorneys, the work is fast paced and never dull. Student participants will gain broad experience and work with attorneys from all sections of the Criminal Division. Students can expect to have ample opportunity to observe court proceedings, meet with prosecutors handling cases of interest to them, conduct a ride-along with police officers, and gain insight into the daily life of a prosecutor. As a smaller office, we are better able to tailor the Prosecutor Academy experience to the unique interests of the participants.
The Coconino County Attorney’s Office serves as the Chief Prosecutor of felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile cases throughout Coconino County, and as county counsel in a wide variety of civil matters. Our team consists of 22 attorneys; in addition to the County Attorney and Chief Deputy, there are 16 prosecutors in our Criminal Division, and 5 attorneys in our Civil Division. We have assembled a group of lawyers who have earned state-wide recognition for excellence, have a heart for public service, and feel strongly connected to the extraordinary mountain and canyon country of the Colorado Plateau. Lawyers in our Civil Division advise and represent in litigation the Board of Supervisors, Planning and Zoning Commission, all elected and appointed officials of the county, and various Special Districts. Our Criminal Division operates as a tight knit moderate size law firm. Our office culture, practices, and policies encourage collegiality, mutual support, and peer review.
The Glendale City Prosecutor's Office is a medium-sized office on the west side of Phoenix. We have eleven attorneys and ten staff. Our focus is on the prosecution of misdemeanor offenses occurring in the jurisdiction of the Glendale city court. Law students interning with our office can expect to partner with more experienced prosecutors both inside and outside of the courtroom to learn first hand about the prosecutor's role in the criminal justice system.
At Graham County Attorney's Office, based on our small size, and incredible relationships between law enforcement and the Judges, there is no better office to have real, hands-on experiences while attending the Prosecutor Academy. With events scheduled such as a police ride-along, live ammo firearms instruction, in-court opportunities, and one- on-one conversations with the presiding Judge, Graham County is the place for you to get a true feel for what it means to be a prosecutor. This three-day course will focus on the day-to-day experience of a deputy prosecutor. With beautiful scenery, fantastic food, and the most hands-on experience one can have, Graham County is the place to learn what it means to be a prosecutor.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) is one of the largest public prosecutorial agencies in the nation, serving nearly 4.5 million residents in the fourth largest county in the U.S. In addition to handling all felony prosecutions in Maricopa County and misdemeanor filings in the county’s justice court system, the office also provides civil legal services to all county agencies. The agency is comprised of more than 1000 full-time employees, including attorneys, investigators, paralegals, victim advocates and support staff. The over 350 attorneys at MCAO work every day to make a difference in people’s lives and our community. Our Prosecution Academy experience will provide opportunities for learning and growth with time in the courtroom each day, as well as the opportunity to hear directly from the Maricopa County Attorney, current Deputy County Attorneys, and Maricopa County Superior Court Judges. MCAO has put together an immersive and enlightening 3 day program for students to see if making an impact in the courtroom is the place for them. Come join us in the fastest-growing county in the nation, with one of the largest prosecuting agencies in the country!
The Mohave County Attorney’s Office is known for conducting numerous jury trials. If you want to get into a courtroom to observe felony jury trials, come to Mohave. Our prosecutor academy will get you immediate and extensive exposure to various courts, hearings, trials, and judges. You will interact daily with prosecutors in both court and office settings. Mohave CAO is a small to mid-size office with approximately 20 prosecutors and 5 civil deputies. Our main office is in Kingman, Arizona. Our office fosters a great work-life balance and at work we utilize an open-door policy for learning and collaborating with our colleagues. If you want to get a real look at what a prosecutor does on a day-to-day basis than this is your opportunity to see how to make a positive difference in a community, promote public safety and help crime victims.
The Navajo County Attorney’s Office (NCAO) is a collaborative and professionally rewarding workplace where attorneys gain significant courtroom experience and advance quickly. With 14 prosecutors and two civil attorneys, the office handles approximately 1,500 felony and 3,300 misdemeanor cases annually. Unlike larger urban offices, NCAO offers exposure to a wide range of cases, allowing attorneys to develop broad prosecutorial skills, exercise meaningful discretion, and take on more serious matters earlier in their careers. Collaboration with experienced attorneys and victim advocates is strongly supported. NCAO invests in modern criminal justice technology and continuing education to keep prosecutors current on legal and prosecutorial trends. Located in northern Arizona, Navajo County spans 10,000 square miles and offers four-season living, abundant outdoor recreation, and rich cultural influences from neighboring tribal communities. The office values work-life balance and is guided by a commitment to integrity and justice for all.
The Phoenix City Prosecutor's Office is one of the largest prosecuting agencies in the country. The office prosecutes adult misdemeanors throughout the City of Phoenix, which amounts to roughly 20,000 cases a year. This includes a wide range of criminal violations including DUIs, domestic violence, thefts, and weapons violations. The office operates a number of specialty court's designed to address specific concerns within the community, including courts aimed at connecting veterans with resources, or that specialize in behavioral health treatment.
Reform, transparency, and accountability are Laura Conover’s core objectives at the Pima County Attorney’s Office. She continues to educate the legislature on cash bail, has put an end to capital punishment in the County, responsibly diverts cases of substance use disorder and mental illness to treatment, and keeps children out of the adult system. She is fortifying units in Conviction & Sentencing Integrity and Fraud & Consumer Protection to safeguard against unethical and exploitative behaviors. Her team built the only adult restorative justice program in the State and invented a victim text notification system to better serve victim’s rights. Her first in the nation agreements to specially deputize tribal O’odham and Yaqui prosecutors have improved access to justice. Come and see what we are doing at the Pima County Attorney’s Office to move the needle on criminal justice reform while empowering victims to have a voice in the process and ensuring public safety.
The Yavapai County Attorney’s Office aggressively prosecutes felony and misdemeanors and provides civil legal representation and advice to county departments. Our prosecutors typically handle one of five assignments: Felony Trial Prosecutor, Misdemeanor Prosecutor, Charging and Early Disposition Unit, Juvenile Prosecutor, or Civil Attorney. YCAO is a mid-sized office with over 40 prosecutors. Our prosecutors enjoy a friendly and supportive workplace and are on a first-name basis with each other and the County Attorney. YCAO’s Prosecutor Academy will allow law students to see how criminal cases are handled in the real world, starting with the submittal of charges through sentencing and post-sentencing hearings. The Academy will give students a great opportunity to talk with and build lasting relationships with seasoned prosecutors. YCAO and our Superior Court are leading the way in our use of technology in court. Most Superior Court hearings allow all parties to participate remotely.
Much of what makes the Yuma County Attorney’s Office special can be credited to the incredible staff within the office and attorneys within the greater community. Yuma’s legal community is close and collegial, rather than adversarial. Interns have remarked that “[being] in a smaller county makes it easier to get broader exposure. We were lucky to be able to see so many different types of cases and work on a lot of different things.” Participants will shadow Kaitlin Amos, who is assigned to the Criminal Division. This Division prosecutes felony criminal cases, misdemeanor cases, and juvenile criminal cases. Students will have the rare chance to observe adult proceedings as well as juvenile court. Ms. Amos has a background in criminal defense and prosecution. She previously served as the Intern Coordinator with the Yuma County Public Defender, where she created a hands-on trial skills training program. This highly reviewed course, typically presented over the course of an entire summer, has been condensed for application this fall. Participants will learn practical skills (to include how to establish a theme/theory, how to conduct voir dire, and how to conduct cross examination) using a real case file. Participants will practice the skills with constructive feedback. Additional activities include court observations, roundtable discussions with attorneys, visits with Superior Court and Juvenile Court judges, detention center tours, victim advocacy center tours, and interactive lectures.
You will be asked to rank your office preferences as part of the Prosecutor Academy application. APAAC will provide travel-expense funding for students placed in a Prosecutor Academy outside of their county.
Arizona Prosecutor Academy Overview with Elizabeth Burton Ortiz, Executive Director, Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council (APAAC)
“The Arizona Prosecutor Academy provides an incredible opportunity for law students to get an inside look at the criminal justice system and the important role of prosecutors. It was not until I became a prosecutor that I fully understood what it meant to have a job where my daily goal is to do the ‘right thing.’ The Academy shows students how the practice of law can be more than just a job – through our work we can positively contribute to making a community which is safe and in which all people are treated fairly.” Elizabeth Burton Ortiz, APAAC Executive Director
The Role of the Prosecutor
The application window for Prosecutor Academy 2026 is closed. Please visit this page in Spring 2027 for information about Prosecutor Academy 2027.
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Mission
"Empowering prosecutors through training and advocacy to serve as Ministers of Justice, as we strive to build criminal justice bridges with the greater community.”
