How to be a Prosecution/PD Gunner? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Taking on a your own case load as a rising 3L is going to be more impressive/relevant to state-level PDs when you look for a full-time position as a 3L. Since Federal Defender offices generally don't hire entry-levels (apart from exceptions here and there) you'd be wise to get that jury experience. A lot of state PD offices let rising 3Ls get substantive, autonomous trial work in. You'll be more competitive across the board with that kind of experience.

I'm going to be a PD intern this summer in NYC and I know my office and some others are done hiring. On the prosecution side I think most of the boroughs are still going. I know someone who did OCI with the Bronx DA some time ago and I'm not sure if they ever heard back.

[Anonymous User]

How many hours a week do prosecutors spend at work? How easy is it to keep up with a family/children in this profession?

[joemoviebuff]

How many hours a week do prosecutors spend at work? How easy is it to keep up with a family/children in this profession?

I don't personally know, but I went to lunch with a prosecutor just this week and he has plenty of time to spend with his family. From what I can tell it's pretty much the best job a lawyer can have in terms of seeing your family.

[adonai]

How many hours a week do prosecutors spend at work? How easy is it to keep up with a family/children in this profession?

Most of the prosecutors in an office I interned at were there 8-4, with 30min. to an hour for lunch. However, I heard that those who are serious about advancing usually stay extra hours.

[leobowski]

Prosecution is generally an 8-5 gig like most other govt. positions. You might put in a few extra hours before a trial, but that is the exception rather than the norm. Pretty solid gig if you plan on having a family.

[conn09]

Prosecution is generally an 8-5 gig like most other govt. positions. You might put in a few extra hours before a trial, but that is the exception rather than the norm. Pretty solid gig if you plan on having a family.

This seems pretty accurate with what I've experienced in the offices I've worked at.

[mockingJD]

Prosecution is generally an 8-5 gig like most other govt. positions. You might put in a few extra hours before a trial, but that is the exception rather than the norm. Pretty solid gig if you plan on having a family.

This is true in my experience as well, except many prosecutors work around the clock when they're on trial.

[Anonymous User]

I just stumbled on some interesting articles about the gap in pay between prosecutors and public defenders:

--LinkRemoved--

http://www.nlada.org/Defender/Defender_ ... ds_Attach7

http://kansasdefenders.blogspot.com/200 ... chive.html

I was always under the assumption that public defenders and prosecutors made the same salary. That local governments can supplement a prosecutor's salary (in some areas, prosecutors make as much as 50% more than equivalent public defenders, just due to a local supplement) was really suprising.

Is this common? Does anyone have any other data on the pay gap?

[Borhas]

I just stumbled on some interesting articles about the gap in pay between prosecutors and public defenders:

--LinkRemoved--

http://www.nlada.org/Defender/Defender_ ... ds_Attach7

http://kansasdefenders.blogspot.com/200 ... chive.html

I was always under the assumption that public defenders and prosecutors made the same salary. That local governments can supplement a prosecutor's salary (in some areas, prosecutors make as much as 50% more than equivalent public defenders, just due to a local supplement) was really suprising.

Is this common? Does anyone have any other data on the pay gap?

I think when there are specific government offices for PD's there is parity (at least in CA), but when you get to court appointed attorneys or panel attorneys that get paid (very little) per case, there is no parity.

[conn09]

I just stumbled on some interesting articles about the gap in pay between prosecutors and public defenders:

--LinkRemoved--

http://www.nlada.org/Defender/Defender_ ... ds_Attach7

http://kansasdefenders.blogspot.com/200 ... chive.html

I was always under the assumption that public defenders and prosecutors made the same salary. That local governments can supplement a prosecutor's salary (in some areas, prosecutors make as much as 50% more than equivalent public defenders, just due to a local supplement) was really suprising.

Is this common? Does anyone have any other data on the pay gap?

I think when there are specific government offices for PD's there is parity (at least in CA), but when you get to court appointed attorneys or panel attorneys that get paid (very little) per case, there is no parity.

I'll also add that in Mass, at the lower district court level, PDs outnumber the DA's by a significant margin. (Although they make the same amount of money)

[NoleinNY]

I remember reading somewhere that the PD in SF makes slightly more bank than the DA. Not sure if it is true or not...

Update: LA City went well, as did X County DA. Metaphorically faceplanted my USAO interview, though...

[Gettingstarted1928]

I remember reading somewhere that the PD in SF makes slightly more bank than the DA. Not sure if it is true or not...

Update: LA City went well, as did X County DA. Metaphorically faceplanted my USAO interview, though...

1L?

Any 1Ls have any updates on their app. process?

[dreakol]

I remember reading somewhere that the PD in SF makes slightly more bank than the DA. Not sure if it is true or not...

Update: LA City went well, as did X County DA. Metaphorically faceplanted my USAO interview, though...

1L?

Any 1Ls have any updates on their app. process?

two interviews lined up this week. I'm pretty sure one is already an offer and we are just meeting in person for the sake of formality before an offer is extended. Haven't heard back from my top choices yet (counties with major cities or major cities), which sucks.

i think of the 18 i have applied to, 4 of them have said they will review their applicants later in the year (march/april), 2 interviews and 1 potential interview, and silence from the rest.

[Gettingstarted1928]

I remember reading somewhere that the PD in SF makes slightly more bank than the DA. Not sure if it is true or not...

Update: LA City went well, as did X County DA. Metaphorically faceplanted my USAO interview, though...

1L?

Any 1Ls have any updates on their app. process?

two interviews lined up this week. I'm pretty sure one is already an offer and we are just meeting in person for the sake of formality before an offer is extended. Haven't heard back from my top choices yet (counties with major cities or major cities), which sucks.

i think of the 18 i have applied to, 4 of them have said they will review their applicants later in the year (march/april), 2 interviews and 1 potential interview, and silence from the rest.

At least it sounds like you have at least something secured for summer.

Have you contacted all of them or have you just sent your resume/cover letter?

[dreakol]

I remember reading somewhere that the PD in SF makes slightly more bank than the DA. Not sure if it is true or not...

Update: LA City went well, as did X County DA. Metaphorically faceplanted my USAO interview, though...

1L?

Any 1Ls have any updates on their app. process?

two interviews lined up this week. I'm pretty sure one is already an offer and we are just meeting in person for the sake of formality before an offer is extended. Haven't heard back from my top choices yet (counties with major cities or major cities), which sucks.

i think of the 18 i have applied to, 4 of them have said they will review their applicants later in the year (march/april), 2 interviews and 1 potential interview, and silence from the rest.

i snail mailed all of my materials. i was thinking of emailing the ones who have yet to respond but didn't know if that was appropriate.?.?.?

[Gettingstarted1928]

Looks like I need to look back at previous posts. LOL

I emailed all mine. Now I'm wishing I would have snail mailed.

[dreakol]

Looks like I need to look back at previous posts. LOL

I emailed all mine. Now I'm wishing I would have snail mailed.

lol i think i typed my response inside your quote. tried to fix it but ended up deleting your quote.

[NoleinNY]

I remember reading somewhere that the PD in SF makes slightly more bank than the DA. Not sure if it is true or not...

Update: LA City went well, as did X County DA. Metaphorically faceplanted my USAO interview, though...

1L?

Any 1Ls have any updates on their app. process?

2L

[Gettingstarted1928]

Looks like I need to look back at previous posts. LOL

I emailed all mine. Now I'm wishing I would have snail mailed.

lol i think i typed my response inside your quote. tried to fix it but ended up deleting your quote.

No problem. I wouldn't email them. I would call them personally. That's what I've always done when following up on non-legal jobs.

[Borhas]

PDS - DC is now paying us to work there this summer

[Anonymous User]

I received offer for permanent employment with the Miami SAO sometime in the last month. So fucking happy right now.

[dreakol]

I received offer for permanent employment with the Miami SAO sometime in the last month. So fucking happy right now.

it seems like miami has been the talk of this thread. are they doing relatively well compared to other city/state budgets or is everyone here just applying there?

congrats btw

[NoleinNY]

I received offer for permanent employment with the Miami SAO sometime in the last month. So fucking happy right now.

I'm sorry...


jk, Congrats!

[leobowski]

I just stumbled on some interesting articles about the gap in pay between prosecutors and public defenders:

--LinkRemoved--

http://www.nlada.org/Defender/Defender_ ... ds_Attach7

http://kansasdefenders.blogspot.com/200 ... chive.html

I was always under the assumption that public defenders and prosecutors made the same salary. That local governments can supplement a prosecutor's salary (in some areas, prosecutors make as much as 50% more than equivalent public defenders, just due to a local supplement) was really suprising.

Is this common? Does anyone have any other data on the pay gap?

In states where the PD system is statewide, and prosecutors are county employees, it's generally better to be a PD. Much better benefits, payscale, upward mobility, etc.

[Tanicius]

PDS - DC is now paying us to work there this summer