Ambassador

The Court Ambassador program is starting up again after a major shutdown during the pandemic. The Ambassador program is designed to help Superior Court visitors gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the work of the Court, its history, and the art, and architecture of the building. Several helpful documents are available below. The Tentative Tour Dates document lists proposed dates when the courts are available for tours, but that does not mean a tour is necessarily scheduled. The program is looking for volunteers to help lead the tours. GJAOC members are especially welcome to help out. PLEASE NOTE that Ambassadors will have to undergo a LiveScan. Although a full background check is not required (since Grand Jurors have had one at the time of their application) a LiveScan IS required unless you’ve had one very recently. For more information, view the information and documents below or email the Ambassador Lead.

Documents

Ambassador Training Held September 19, 2023

The first Ambassador Training was held Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at the Orange County Superior Court. The schedule is being finalized now with the first Court tour scheduled for late October.

Message from Catalina Roger

Good afternoon, Court Ambassador Volunteers!

Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering as a Court Ambassador for the Orange County Superior Court’s Journey Through Justice Court Tour Program.  We are excited to welcome you to the program and get started!

As part of its services to community, the Superior Court, County of Orange has a Journey through Justice Court Tour Program made possible by the Court’s Community Engagement Division and volunteer Court Ambassadors. This program was started by an organization called the Orange County Lawyers’ Wives and then thereafter expanded to included interested civic minded community leaders.

The court tour program takes students from the classroom to the courtroom, allowing them to witness first-hand the administration of justice. Each tour accommodates 15 to 50 students and takes place throughout the school year, September through June.

Participants of the court tour can expect to:

  • Be able to distinguish between the different levels of crimes, i.e., infraction, misdemeanor, and felony.
  • Observe actual court proceedings.
  • Meet a judicial officer, as he or she addresses the students about the legal consequences of one’s actions.
  • Meet representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Department and Interpreter’s Office and learn how each agency plays an important role in our judicial system.
  • Learn about educational requirements to pursue various careers within the judicial system.

Although some of you may have completed an application, I would kindly ask that you resubmit your information using our Human Resources NEOGOV online application service.  This will allow our court’s Human Resources department to retain your information properly and securely as well as facilitate the necessary Live Scan fingerprinting and background services. These steps are mandatory for all court volunteers and employees. 

Please complete the online application by clicking HERE:  Volunteer-Superior-Court-Ambassador Application

SAVE THE DATE!  All Court Ambassadors will be required to attend a mandatory training either via ZOOM or in person on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 12:15 to 1:30 pm, at Orange County Superior Court, 700 Civic Center Drive, West, Santa Ana, 4th Floor, Department C7.

I would like to extend our gratitude for your expressed interest in serving as a Court Ambassador.  As part of the Community Engagement Division, we are thrilled about the prospect of you joining the team! 

Respectfully, Catalina Roger, Community Engagement Liaison

Message from Kostas Kalaitzidis

The Superior Court of Orange County needs Court Ambassadors to guide our County’s school children in the discovery of Civics in our Court! And who better to do it, than you, the very people that gave of their time and intellect to our community already, via your application to become a Grand Juror! You are the living example of Civic Responsibility and Civic giving.

We invite you to join us once again to help us host 5th through twelfth grade students and their teachers for its Journey Through Justice Court Tour program. Some 650 students visited the Central, North, West and Harbor Justice Centers during the past school year, and more guides are needed to accommodate students for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

The Court Tour program started in the early 1970s, organized by a local legal support group.  It is now part of the court’s Community Engagement efforts.  Court Ambassadors serve students and visitors by presenting accurate information on the functions and history of the court and the art and architecture of the building.

Communicating directly with visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of ability, Court Ambassadors will be required to commit to two (2) or more unpaid 3-hour shifts per year and attend a one (1) hour training sessions as required. Tours are conducted a several times per month at the Central (Santa Ana) North (Fullerton), West (Westminster) and Harbor (Newport Beach) Justice Centers.  Tours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and include:

  • An overview of the justice system, juvenile laws, and court careers.
  • Observing court hearings such as arraignments and/or traffic, drug, or small claims court.
  • Participating in a scripted mock trial in which students enact various courtroom roles (judge, attorney, witness, court clerk, bailiff, etc.).
  • Observing an actual criminal or civil trial.

Please share this information and linked Ambassador Program Flyer and Application with individuals (spouse, friends, or colleagues) or groups (clubs or docents for other organizations) who may want to contribute six (6) hours a year to teach our youth about the justice system and civics education.  Interested individuals should contact Vanessa Castro, Court Tour Support Staff, at (657) 622-7505 or via email at: CommunityEngagement@occourts.org

Kostas Kalaitzidis, Public Information Officer