| Topic Name: |
District Attorney |
| Message Name: |
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| Date Posted: |
06/05/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
I'm not a DA. In fact, I'd be surprised if you do hear from any DA's -- they work like dogs and don't make enough to cover the cost of the internet connection.
I also never considered a career prosecuting because I am violently uncomfortable with the notion of judging other people and making decisions that can take away a stranger's freedom.
But I count a few prosecutors amongst my close friends. Here's the common elements:
First, they were good students. You are not going anywhere, especially in a major city, without demonstrating your ability in law school.
Second, demonstrated ability in law school goes out the window without a greater demonstrated interest in some manifestation of truth, justice, and the American way. This interest typically predates any law school experience, and is continued throughout. You need to have a highly developed sense of right and wrong. Furthermore, this sense must cause you to volunteer in organizations that work to eradicate some sort of social problem. Drugs, domestic violence, child abuse, etc., are all generally acknowledged problems, and everyone would agree that something needs to be done about them. You should be doing something -- now. If you are not, be aware that there are plenty of qualified, interested candidates out there who are. Also, without this demonstrated commitment to eradicating social evil, the DA's office may question your your ability to grind through the third point . . .
Due process is a process. Crime is your business, and business is always good. That means VOLUME, and sometimes ensuring defendants their constitutional rights requires an assembly-line mentality. Also, standing up in court 8 hours a day can be very much like working on the GM floor. You are going to need your principled compass to help you slog though the immense amount of paperwork that comes with processing criminal defendants.
Finally, all my friends agree that, in the end, you will have made a difference, and typically for someone who can't afford to buy their own way in this world.
And if you're worried about complaints -- the prosecutors never complain about their jobs; they only occasionally gripe about how tired they are. Those on the private sector, however, consistenly bitch about both.
Hope someone who is in the know can help you. |
| Message: |
"Also, without this demonstrated commitment to eradicating social evil, the DA's office may question your your ability to grind through the third point . . . "
The current District Attorney in my county was a former criminal defense lawyer. Yes, as an ADA you have to be committed to eradicating social evil (which, by the way will never be eradicated regardless of punishment). I also believe there is nothing wrong saying you'd could find yourself defending these people also. Both defenders and prosecutors are imperative to make our system work by upholding the Constitution. Those with more money get more Constitutional rights than others, but thats another topic altogether.
It should make anyone feel good to put scum in jail, so getting past this point sould be effortless. Its much harder for defense attorneys to defend those they know are guilty (though it makes it easier knowing that they protect consitutional rights by making the prosecution prove their case) in order to protect the 1 in 500 (just a guess here) that is truly innocent.
An ADA job may be tiring when you are getting cases ready for trial, but all in all, you will be working less hours than BIG LAW and the boredom level will probably be much lower. Taking cases to trial on a regular basis can be exciting. In private practice you may be lucky to take 2 or 3 cases to trial in a given year.
ADA's who make it a career, although very few do, can earn $80-$85, which is probably above average pay, if you compare it to the average salaried professional.
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