(SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ) - More than 30 teen girls and their female mentors attended an annual youth empowerment event over the weekend, designed to educate and inspire them.

On Saturday, the Pinal County Attorney's Office, in partnership with multiple organizations, hosted the annual 'Sky is the Limit' event at Poston Butte High School. The event tailored toward 6th-8th grade girls and their favorite female mentor.

"It was not only great information but also a beautiful bonding experience between [my daughter] and I!" wrote one mother who attended.

She went on to add, "We both enjoyed the all girl time and the speakers are all phenomenal."

In total, 18 girls and 16 adults attended the event, which tackled difficult teenage topics, yet also aimed to inspire community youth.

We want to extend a special thank you to the following for working with us on this important community event:

FLORENCE, AZ  – The Pinal County Attorney’s Office is now accepting registrations for the first Citizens Academy of the year.

The Citizens Academy will take place on Saturday, March 18^th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The PCAO Citizens Academy is an immersive experience designed to give attendees an in-depth look at how charging decisions are made and the role of prosecutors in the criminal justice system.

“This is an excellent opportunity for folks to come, see what we do as prosecutors and how we navigate difficult charging decisions,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer.

The Citizens Academy features detailed presentations from the County Attorney and another prosecutor in the office, a chance to see the evidence and review several cases prosecuted by PCAO, take part in Q & A, use a shooting simulator to experience the type of encounters law enforcement are often presented with, and tour the county jail.

“We try to make this as in-depth an experience as possible to give those who attend an accurate reflection of how our office works and dispel any rumors about the criminal justice system,” Volkmer said.

What: Citizens Academy

When: Saturday, March 18^th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: PCAO Office (971 N. Jason Lopez Circle, Florence, AZ)

PCAO held three Citizens Academies in 2022 and received very positive feedback. We hope those who attend this year find it a fun and educational experience.

Those who are interested in registering for the March 18^th Citizens Academy can do so HERE.

March Citizens Academy

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(FLORENCE, AZ) - In 2022, more than 450 people completed the Diversion Program, earning them an opportunity for a second chance.

The Diversion Program returned in-house to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office in 2017 and provides a path for some defendants to earn the ability to avoid a potential conviction, while learning tools to prevent similar problems from reappearing later in life.

The mission of the diversion program is to “…reduce recidivism, advance justice, and promote community safety through the use of evidence-based programs and effective community supervision tailored to the risks and needs of each individual.”

In 2022, 483 total cases were closed out, making for an overall success rate of 85%.

“I started drinking [and] I shouldn’t have been drinking,” said Casimiro, who lives in Coolidge. “Doing drugs. I shouldn’t have been doing drugs.”

Casimiro detailed a rough 2022, with drugs and alcohol ultimately adding to the problem.

“How far was I? I was below the rock,” he said. “Not rock bottom. I was way under the rock.”

Casimiro said he spent four days in jail after an incident where he pushed his adult son and authorities were called.

Facing potential charges including Assault and Disorderly Conduct, Casimiro was referred to the Diversion Program.

“I was lucky to be in…Diversion,” he said.

Throughout the program, Casimiro has taken part in several classes, including drug abuse and anger management.

“It taught me how to console myself, console my anger,” he said.

Diversion officers assess any underlying causes that contribute to a defendant’s behavior and assign a list of requirements accordingly.

“We want people [to] understand what they did [was] wrong and work to rectify the situation,” said Senior Diversion Officer Nicole Buccellato. “In return, the county attorney’s office dismisses it from their record.”

Buccellato regularly meets with defendants going through the program.

“Success looks like a defendant that has come in just…deflated, don’t know how they got in the situation that they were in, they really don’t know how to pick themselves up and throughout the program you see them kind of finding their purpose again,” Buccellato said.

If a defendant does not successfully complete the program, prosecution can resume on their case.

“I like being able to help make a difference,” Buccellato said. “People make mistakes…what I like doing is giving those people a second chance.”

She also noted the progress Casimiro has made along the way after initially being hesitant to delve into the program.

“The more he started applying himself at his classes, I could see him…open up and you could tell he started trusting the system and trusting the program,” she said.

Casimiro pointed to dramatic improvement in his life and said he has started working again and regained his CDL.

“In less than a year I would say I’m at 80, 90 percent better than I ever was,” he said. “I think I am better now than before all this.”

He looks forward to the future.

“I miss my family, that’s what I have learned, how much I miss them,” he said. “I need to get back with them.”

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