The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida hosted its first Federal Prosecutor Leadership Academy, a two-day program aimed at introducing high school students to the Department of Justice and encouraging interest in public service, according to a March 25 announcement.
The initiative seeks to give local youth early exposure to careers in federal law enforcement and the justice system. Organizers said this access could help inspire future public servants from diverse backgrounds.
A total of 33 students from 10 Miami-Dade County high schools participated in the inaugural class. The program included direct engagement with federal prosecutors, law enforcement agents, and members of the judiciary. Students attended interactive panels and presentations led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys as well as representatives from agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Secret Service, and City of Doral Police Department.
“This program is about access and mentorship at an early stage,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “For many of these students, this was their first real interaction with federal prosecutors, law enforcement agents, and judges. That kind of exposure matters. When young people can engage directly with professionals in public service, it turns something distant into something possible. Early access like this can shape the trajectory of a student’s life and give them a clearer understanding of how they can one day serve. As a career prosecutor and former state trial judge, I’ve seen in my own development how mentorship opens doors and helps build the next generation of public servants.”
Over two days, participants learned about topics such as pathways to becoming a federal prosecutor; details on criminal investigations; interagency collaboration; office tours; roundtable discussions with Assistant U.S. Attorneys from several divisions; meetings with judges; and more.
Building on this initial effort, organizers plan to host another session April 6-7 for private high school students across Miami-Dade County as part of broader community outreach efforts designed to strengthen trust in law enforcement institutions.
