ST. LOUIS, MO  (November 14, 2025) — The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office (CAO) concluded its six-week Citizens Academy on Thursday with a hands-on mock trial and graduation ceremony recognizing the 19 St. Louis area residents who completed the program.



The Citizens Academy provided participants with an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at how crimes are investigated, charged, and prosecuted in the City of St. Louis. Over six weeks, participants took part in interactive seminars, roundtable exercises, and site visits across the criminal justice system. Sessions covered charging decisions, courtroom procedure, victim services, and a review of the units of the CAO, including the Conviction Integrity Unit and Diversion Unit. Participants also toured the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center, Crime Lab, and Training Academy simulator to observe how evidence is collected and how officers respond in real time.

“Our Citizens Academy strengthened the connection between this office and the people we serve,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “Director of Community Engagement Leann Mosby played a central role in bringing this program to life. She created a thoughtful, engaging curriculum that allowed our prosecutors and community members to come together in a meaningful way. We are grateful for her leadership, and we hope participants will carry what they learned back into their neighborhoods and communities.”

Participants described the program as informative, transparent, and eye-opening.

“I learned about the people who work here and the sense of integrity they bring to their jobs every day,” said Citizens Academy Participant. “The discussions are deeper than I expected. They really get into the issues affecting our city. I’m excited to apply everything I learned to my life as an everyday citizen in St. Louis.”

“Every attorney we met had so much compassion. Many of them work in the community and have different roles outside the office,” said Citizens Academy Participant. “You’ll see that the people in the Circuit Attorney’s Office are just like us. They want the community to be safe, thriving, and fun. If you live in the City or County, this class is worth taking. It will open your eyes and help you value our justice system.”

The program concluded with a mock trial, where participants served as jurors and applied the legal standards and case concepts explored throughout the academy.

The Citizens Academy reflects the CAO’s ongoing commitment to transparency, community engagement, and building public trust. By giving residents an opportunity to see the justice system up close and understand how prosecutors make evidence-based decisions, the CAO continues to strengthen relationships and deepen community understanding.

Information on future Citizens Academy sessions will be announced at a later date.