Enlightening the Community with Legal Knowledge
“The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office has long held the belief that an informed community is a safer and stronger one. Since our founding in 1975, in addition to ensuring that justice is served on behalf of our constituents, we have worked to develop a better public understanding of our legal system.
A cornerstone of this effort has been the considerable amount of legal workshop programs that we offer – engaging and accessible educational experiences for North Worcester County residents that aid victims, guide youth, and enhance transparency in our legal process. Under the guidance of District Attorney Jessica Landon, our workshops have emerged as an important trusted resource for citizens and families throughout the Northwestern District. Each workshop is offered free of charge, and open to all. The Northwestern DA works to serve justice – with integrity and dedication.”
A Closer Look At Our Community Workshops
“Our Law Workshops cover a variety of topics you need to know as they relate to real life, the Criminal Justice System and your individual rights. Our programs are prepared by experienced prosecutors, legal advocates and community outreach experts who are familiar with the needs of our district. These workshops take place on a regular basis throughout the year, both in person at our Indianapolis office and remotely online so that we can continue to reach our entire community.
Whether it’s educating our residents on their rights, how to navigate the criminal justice system or resources available as a crime victim, our programs help you gain useful, practical advice in a friendly informal environment. All sessions include opportunities for questions and answers, group discussion and one on one support.”
Topics of Legal Workshops
“With the many different needs and interests of our various communities, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office presents workshops on the following topics:
- “Know Your Rights” – Understand what protections you have when interacting with police, in court proceedings, or in any number of other situations
- “Victim Support & Advocacy” – A workshop designed specifically for crime victims and their family members, this session will address victim resources, the justice system and how victims may continue to access support services (Victim Advocacy)
- “Youth & the Law” – A workshop designed for juveniles and their families, this popular program addresses the juvenile justice system, emphasizes the importance of making positive choices, and instructs families on accessing mentorship programs (Youth Mentorship)
- “Preventing Fraud & Scams” – A workshop addressing criminal schemes with a focus on those perpetrated against seniors and other vulnerable communities, including prevention strategies
- “Domestic Violence Awareness” – Recognizing, knowing how to respond to, and reporting domestic violence, as well as information about local shelters and legal protections
- “Understanding the Criminal Justice Process” – Explaining legal terminology, the process of going through court, and how various actors within the criminal justice system function
Regularly, new topics are added depending on issues around which community members express interest or requests they make for specific topics.”
Who Can Benefit From Our Workshops?
Our workshops are available to all Northwestern District residents-from those seeking legal information, crime victims seeking assistance, youth and families interested in prevention and mentorship, and community members interested in learning more about the process of justice. Law enforcement affiliates, educators, and community-based organizations are also welcome either to attend or to collaborate as we seek to put a face on the resources available to all. There are no prerequisites or fees-we simply want to make legal education available to all. ASL interpreters and language translation services are available upon request.
All of our programs are meant to be accessible in every way possible.
Legal Workshops Can Be In-Person Or Virtual
“As part of our commitment to recognizing the diverse needs and schedules of our community, we offer workshops in several formats. Our in-person workshops are held at our main office location at 500 N Capitol Ave Ste 42, Indianapolis, convenient for face-to-face networking and collaboration. For residents who cannot come to the office, we offer virtual workshops through secure internet meeting sites so that everyone throughout the district has the opportunity to participate from home.
All attendees receive workshop materials, a list of resources and a contact person for follow-up questions. Our staff also collaborates with local schools, libraries, and community centers to hold off-site workshops and serve as many residents as possible.”
Benefits of Our Community Workshops
Our legal workshops help residents understand their rights and their responsibilities. Attendees gain confidence that they know where to go for help if needed. Victims and families of victims get support in difficult situations. Youth understand how to make better choices and benefit from access to mentors. Empowering residents with the law can decrease crime, increase transparency, and cultivate positive, valuable relationships between the public and police. Past participants say that they appreciate feeling more connected to their community and empowered to help themselves and others.
Meet Our Workshop Facilitators
“We are prosecutors, victim advocate practitioners, and community outreach specialists with years of experience and a passion for public service in every community. District Attorney Jessica Landon is frequently in the field, sharing what she’s learned from 15 years on the job and innovative new ideas she has for a more equitable system. We often have guest speakers including judges, police officers, community mental health professionals and local non-profits to lend their expertise as well. The combination of all this diversity ensures the information provided at each workshop is cutting edge and reflects real-life issues and experiences in our communities.”
How To Sign Up And Future Events
“Registration for workshops is easy and is always free. You may fill out a registration form by calling the office at (317) 532-9697, email [email protected], or from our website at https://northwesterndistrictattorney.org/. Dates for upcoming workshops and presentations are listed on the website and social media sites. Group registrations and additional/special sessions for interested schools, clubs or civic organizations can be scheduled upon request. We encourage early registration as seating may be limited for some workshops. Select workshop presentations are digitally recorded and made available on the internet for access after the live session.”
Testimonials: Stories From The Community
“Attending the Know Your Rights workshop made me feel empowered to stand up for myself and my family. The presenters were very knowledgeable and made the subject matter easy to digest.” – Maria S., resident
“As a parent, I really appreciated learning more about the Youth & the Law session – my son learned important lessons on making smart choices and now wants to attend the mentoring program.” – David T., father
“The victim support workshop was a Godsend after what happened to me – I felt heard, supported, and empowered to move on my own terms.” – Lisa B., victim survivor
Each and every one of our workshops is rated “excellent” – we are frequently told by participants that our workshops provide the most useful information in an inviting environment while making a huge difference in their lives.”
Make The Community Safer, More Informed
The Northwestern DA’s Office invites you to take an active role in helping us to create a safer and more equitable community. Participating in these legal seminars will not only empower you with vital information, but will create a culture of openness, trust and transparency. We encourage residents, schools, churches and organizations to reach out to us with proposed topics, suggestions, partnership, or if you want us to come and work with your group. We can help fill gaps, provide care for those who need it most, and strengthen our district as a whole.
To learn more about us, gain access to our resources or to get involved in any community programs, please reach out to us today:
| Hours of Operation | Mon-Fri 8AM – 5PM |
| Address | 500 N Capitol Ave Ste 42, Indianapolis IN 46204 |
| Phone | (317) 532-9697 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | https://northwesterndistrictattorney.org/ |
For more information about our mission and team, visit our About Us page. If you have questions or want to connect directly, please see our Contact Us page.