Erika DeMarco

Erika DeMarco is a Lecturer at the School of Law at the University of Kansas. Her career bridges academia and practical experience in criminal justice, informed by her roles as a former prosecutor and current Judge of the Lenexa Municipal Court.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Political Science with a minor in Integrated Arts from Northwestern University; Juris Doctor (JD) from University of Kansas School of Law.
• Career: 11-year prosecutor at Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, specializing in domestic violence, juvenile offenders, and Special Victims Unit cases. Appointed as Lenexa Municipal Court Judge in 2017.

Her research and teaching interests focus on the criminal justice system, particularly on issues related to victim advocacy, sexual violence, and child abuse. She has contributed to practical legal education through mentorship and hands-on experience in courtroom procedures.

DeMarco has earned recognition for her advocacy work, including:

• Paul E. Wilson Advocacy Award
• Johnson County Child Advocate of the Year

She actively engages with students, sharing insights from her career in law enforcement and judicial practice, and emphasizes the intersection of theory and real-world application in criminal justice education.