A Day in the Life: Assistant District Attorney

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a prosecutor? Read on for a glimpse into one district attorney's day.

9:00 a.m.: Arrive at office, check emails, and get files and paperwork for court.

10:00 a.m.: Arrive at court for multiple issues, including an arraignment for a burglary case and hearings for drug possession cases, a money laundering case, and an attempted murder case. Speak with court clerks while clients arrive and judge hears various issues.

12:15 p.m.: Meet opposing counsel for plea bargain agreement for drug possession case.

1:00 p.m.: Quick lunch at desk while looking over emails and making phone calls. Wait for witness to show up at 2:00.

2:00 p.m.: Witness doesn't show. Work on research for motion on attempted murder case involving Fourth Amendment right of seizure.

3:00 p.m.: Brief interview with police officers on felony assault case.

3:30 p.m.: Witness for 2:00 finally shows up with father and sister. Conduct fact-finding issue on domestic violence case. Witness recants some testimony and father pressures her not to testify against her husband, leaving ADA uncertain as to strength of case.

4:45 p.m.: Contact court clerks regarding hearing status of various cases.

5:10 p.m.: Review documents for money laundering case, and call witnesses and corporate officers for interviews in the next few days.

6:15 p.m.: Head home.

This piece and more than 100 other "Day in a Life" profiles—both legal and nonlegal—are available on Vault's site here or can be found under the "Explore Professions" section of the site.