FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2024

Commonwealth's Attorney's Office Holds Graduation for Community Academy

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Last night, the Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney’s Office held a graduation and celebration for its first ever Community Academy. Over six classes from September through November, 11 Charlottesville residents learned about the investigation and prosecution of a criminal case and heard presentations from law enforcement officers, judges, defense counsel, and a victim witness advocate. The Academy also discussed community safety and the many diversionary programs available in this area. The program allowed participants to ride along with patrol officers and facilitated a tour of the local Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. The Community Academy was designed to engage a diverse group of citizens and increase transparency in the workings of their local prosecutor’s office. 

Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania stated “this office works for and serves the citizens of Charlottesville. Our success and improvement is dependent upon residents learning about and engaging with the work that we do. It was a fantastic group of folks and I learned more from them than they learned from the Academy.” 

Community Academy graduate Erica Uhlmann said that “the Academy was a wonderful learning experience and I appreciated the opportunity to gain insight and first-hand knowledge about the Commonwealth's Attorney’s office. I encourage anyone interested to apply as it was both rewarding and meaningful.” 

Each graduate was provided with a challenge coin containing the Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney’s Office mission statement: “Safety and Stability through Healing and Repair.” Applications for the next Community Academy will be circulated in August of 2025.

Media Contact:
Joe Platania
Commonwealth's Attorney
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3179
platania@charlottesville.gov