Re: 1st year big-city prosecutor taking questions
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:55 pm
9:30-5:30 on a good day? or generally speaking its 930-530 with a few hours extra here and there. I didn't know working hours like that exist these days
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I can't speak for OP and I don't intend to get in his/her way here, but I can speak to my experiences working in a DA's office. The prosecutor's worked 8ish-5ish(standard at this office), the office is open from 8-5. Attorney's worked longer hours when they had big trials or if they were just swamped. In general the hours were 8-5 where I worked and under one of the DA's, people had a lot of flexibility (ie needing to take off time to pickup kids, go to sporting events, etc.). I can tell you that there were countless times when a few of the attorney's and I would leave at 4 to hit happy hour downtown.Hyder wrote:9:30-5:30 on a good day? or generally speaking its 930-530 with a few hours extra here and there. I didn't know working hours like that exist these days
So the ADAs are actually friends and hang out with each other outside of the office?ejjones wrote:I can't speak for OP and I don't intend to get in his/her way here, but I can speak to my experiences working in a DA's office. The prosecutor's worked 8ish-5ish(standard at this office), the office is open from 8-5. Attorney's worked longer hours when they had big trials or if they were just swamped. In general the hours were 8-5 where I worked and under one of the DA's, people had a lot of flexibility (ie needing to take off time to pickup kids, go to sporting events, etc.). I can tell you that there were countless times when a few of the attorney's and I would leave at 4 to hit happy hour downtown.Hyder wrote:9:30-5:30 on a good day? or generally speaking its 930-530 with a few hours extra here and there. I didn't know working hours like that exist these days
Sure, some do. Especially younger ones. People from the office would have parties and a lot of people would show up. Is that surprising. Not that it matters, but they're called Deputy District Attorneys(DDA) here.lsb wrote:So the ADAs are actually friends and hang out with each other outside of the office?ejjones wrote:I can't speak for OP and I don't intend to get in his/her way here, but I can speak to my experiences working in a DA's office. The prosecutor's worked 8ish-5ish(standard at this office), the office is open from 8-5. Attorney's worked longer hours when they had big trials or if they were just swamped. In general the hours were 8-5 where I worked and under one of the DA's, people had a lot of flexibility (ie needing to take off time to pickup kids, go to sporting events, etc.). I can tell you that there were countless times when a few of the attorney's and I would leave at 4 to hit happy hour downtown.Hyder wrote:9:30-5:30 on a good day? or generally speaking its 930-530 with a few hours extra here and there. I didn't know working hours like that exist these days
Pretty much 9:30-5:30 every day. Obviously if I've got a trial or something else pressing I might get in earlier. I rarely stay later than 5:30 or 6. Once or twice a month I am assigned to night court, where I work 5pm-midnight or 1. I don't come in during the day, however.Hyder wrote:9:30-5:30 on a good day? or generally speaking its 930-530 with a few hours extra here and there. I didn't know working hours like that exist these days
It's very early, but I've already declined several arrests I believed lacked probable cause. I also declined a case this week that was so petty it lacked any merit whatsoever. I've had a couple of really bad guys get held in lieu of bail on misdemeanors, which is a rarity in my jurisdiction. Both were DV cases. Not a real list of achievments, but small things that make a big difference to the people involved.kritiosboy wrote:I know you said that you just started but could you give us an anecdote of a situation where you felt like you were responsible for some great justice? Whether it's locking a real scumbag up forever or cutting someone you think will reform a deal.
It varies by office, but here I think the hiring board looks for people who really understand that the job of an prosecutor is to do justice in each case, and not merely to rack up convictions or pursue certain kinds of crimes or people. Additionally, they look to see if you've done things that suggest you can relate well with different people. A summer busing tables in high school came up in one of my interviews. Fairness, an ability to inspire confidence in people from all walks of life, integrity and passion seem to be things they look for. A lot of it is just luck, too.Anonymous User wrote:What would you say are the most important things to bring up in a coverletter/interview for a DA's office? What personal qualities do you think the interviewers look for? What do you think got you the job?
Definitely. I usually go out after work 2 or 3 times a week. There's the weekly softball game, happy hours, etc.So the ADAs are actually friends and hang out with each other outside of the office?
I hope you're still taking questions.Anonymous User wrote:Definitely. I usually go out after work 2 or 3 times a week. There's the weekly softball game, happy hours, etc.So the ADAs are actually friends and hang out with each other outside of the office?
where i worked they usually didn't work past 5ish and arrived at 8, seems pretty common in the region i'm from.KaraThrace wrote:Are these 9-5 type hours actually common for ADAs? Because the literature I'm finding says district attorneys can expect a crapload of hours?
I can't give you a definitive answer one way or the other. I'd imagine they look at these things on a case by case basis, focusing on the level of the infraction, how long ago it happened, and your record since then. I know people who have had small things like minor in posession of alcohol from when they were in college, but haven't met anyone working here who's had a previous DUI (or at least no one who would cop to it).Anonymous User wrote:I hope you're still taking questions.Anonymous User wrote:Definitely. I usually go out after work 2 or 3 times a week. There's the weekly softball game, happy hours, etc.So the ADAs are actually friends and hang out with each other outside of the office?
Unfortunately, I was arrested once towards the end of highschool for DUI and possession of marijuana. The ONLY reason I want to go to law school is to become an ADA, and I'm prepared to do anything it takes. Did I completely screw myself or do you think the DA (or whoever does the hiring) will be able to look past this incident? Thank you for the help.
It's like a ghost town by 5:15, 5:30 almost every day. If you have to prep for trial you might stay late, but you can also take it home with you. It's a no face time job.KaraThrace wrote:Are these 9-5 type hours actually common for ADAs? Because the literature I'm finding says district attorneys can expect a crapload of hours?
I think school matters, at least a little bit. They tend to look for smart, motivated people who are committed to public service and are going to be able to persuasively argue in tough circumstances. If you go to Harvard, you can check off the "smart" box, but you've still got to show them everything else. Most urban DAs offices have strong ties to schools in the city, but they will hire from all over the country. If you do well there, particularly in crim/evidence classes, I think any advantage a T14 would give you is minimized.Anonymous User wrote:What schools position you best to work as an ADA in a big city (NY, Chicago, etc)? For a job like that, does a T14 hold a significant advantage over a top regional school? What would you suggest doing during law school to position yourself for getting hired to a top DA?
If you happen to know, what are some of your colleagues long term goals? Work their way up as a prosecutor, get experience and open up a solo defense practice, etc.
Thank you for taking questions.