New program puts city prosecutor’s office on display

Richard Jackson wanted a clearer view of how justice works in St. Louis — not from a textbook, but from inside the system itself.

So the University of Missouri-St. Louis criminology student and community activist signed up for the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Citizens Academy, a six-week program designed to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at how cases move through the courts.

“I joined the Citizens Academy because I wanted to know about the city of St. Louis’ arresting process,” Jackson said. “As a criminology student and a returning citizen, knowing their process — and how transparent they are — was important to me.”

The program, now underway for its spring 2026 session, is a public-facing initiative from the Circuit Attorney’s Office aimed at increasing transparency and improving relationships with residents.

Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said the program is part of a broader effort to build trust, particularly in communities that have historically distrusted the legal system.

“I think the Citizens Academy helps rebuild that trust,” Gore said.

Participants hear directly from assistant circuit attorneys, take part in discussions about real-world cases and participate in a mock trial designed to illustrate how courtroom decisions are made.

Jackson said the introductory session covered familiar material but could benefit others with less exposure to the system.

“I didn’t learn much because the intro was basic and familiar to me,” he said. “But if you’ve never been part of the process before, it was very informative.”

He said access to information can shape how people view the justice system.

“Public events like this create open dialogue and transparency,” Jackson said.

But some advocates argue the program may not go far enough in addressing deeper transparency concerns.

Z. Gorley of ArchCity Defenders said the initiative offers only a limited view of the justice system.

“This initiative appears to be a one-dimensional ‘behind-the-scenes look at how justice is pursued,’ given that it is limited to law enforcement—prosecutors and police—and ignores the other two-thirds of the equation: the bench and the defense,” Gorley said.

Gorley noted that Missouri already allows public access to court proceedings.

“Missouri has an open courts provision where proceedings can be observed by interested members of the public without being filtered through the perspective of the Circuit Attorney’s Office,” Gorley said.

They added that a stronger test of transparency would involve opening up parts of the system that are typically less visible.

“A better test of the Circuit Attorney’s Office’s commitment to transparency might be whether the public has access to aspects of the criminal legal process that are often hidden, and over which the office has nearly full control,” Gorley said.

Sessions are held in person and include visits to courtrooms and partner agencies. Participants also receive an overview of how cases are reviewed and charged — an area Gore has said is part of ongoing efforts to improve efficiency within the office.

Gore described the first session as successful and said he plans to make the course a regular, biannual program.

J. Upchurch, director of community development for the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, attended the first session and said the program emphasized openness and dialogue.

“Upon observing the first session, I was most impressed by the transparency of the office and its welcoming environment for community partners,” Upchurch said. “The communication and positive atmosphere encouraged questions, respectful discussion and collaboration.”

Upchurch said programs like the academy can help explain how prosecutorial decisions are made.

“Residents often only see the outcomes — arrests, charges, convictions — without understanding the reasoning behind those decisions,” she said. “This kind of transparency helps reduce misconceptions and shows that the process is thoughtful, accountable and not arbitrary.”

She added that direct interaction may also change how residents view the system.

“People’s perceptions are often shaped by media or limited personal interactions,” Upchurch said. “Opportunities like this allow residents to meet prosecutors and investigators as individuals and better understand the challenges they face.”

While she said she could not speak from a law enforcement perspective, Upchurch emphasized the importance of collaboration.

“Crime is regional — it’s two sides of the same coin,” she said. “It’s through collaboration and working together that we build a successful team.”

The Citizens Academy follows a similar program introduced last year and is one of several initiatives launched under Gore’s leadership. The office has also pointed to efforts to speed up charging decisions and expand victim support as part of broader changes.

The program is open to residents 18 and older and has drawn participants ranging from students to community leaders and early-career professionals.

As the current session continues, the Citizens Academy offers residents a closer look at how the prosecutor’s office operates — while raising broader questions about how transparency efforts translate into public trust.

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