r/ProsecutorTalk

Her sister was visiting her every day, as were her parents, the lawyers, doctors, psychologists, priests, and even her friend. If you are waiting for a trial, is it normal to have so many visitors, or is it because she is so special?

Good afternoon everyone. I’m starting at my local county attorney’s office in the criminal division in a little over a week. I am very excited to begin working and learning.

My question for you seasoned prosecutors is how many suits should I have ? I am starting off in misdemeanors and was told I’d pretty much be in court four days a week. I should also note that I’m in probably the hottest US state and though I’m a skinny guy I’m also pretty sweaty unfortunately lol.

Thank you all in advance for your input and guidance.

EDIT: or at least could someone compare Suffolk/Middlesex to, say, Berkshire or Hampden?

I'm probably going to be an ada in Mass, but I know there are significant differences between what it's like to be an ada in some counties and what it's like to be an ada in others.

The variables that matter to me are, in no particular order:

1. Extensive training vs. throw you to the wolves dynamic (I think I prefer being thrown to the wolves, but I'm not saying training is bad obviously)
2. Salary (I think the statutory minimum is $68k, but I understand some counties pay more (e.g., Essex appears to start adas at $75)
3. ADA job satisfaction
4. Collegiality among ADAs in the office
5. Turnover
6. Promotion from district court to superior court is slow vs. speedier
7. Types of cases handled in district and superior

While I'd be happy to hear about Suffolk and Middlesex, I'm more familiar with how those offices work from people I've spoken to. I'm really interested in 1-8 as they apply to every county:

a. Suffolk

b. Middlesex

c. Essex

d. Norfolk

e. Cape and Islands

f. Berkshire

Etc., etc.

I’m an 1811 investigator. If I attended a no named online school (non aba accredited) do you think I could be a federal prosecutor or federal public defender? When I read ausa/ federal defender job descriptions most of them do not mention that the law school needs to be accredited. It really reads that I need to be admitted to a state bar of any state. Any guidance would be helpful.

Any NY prosecutors with opinions regarding the claims of double jeopardy by Mangione’s defense team? State law may afford additional double jeopardy protections aside from the more general dual sovereign doctrine under the 10th amendment.

It looks like NY Criminal Code section 40.20 bars a second prosecution for two offenses “based upon the same act or criminal transaction unless (a) the offenses as defined have substantially different elements and the acts establishing one offense are in the main clearly distinguishable from those establishing the other.”

Hi all!

Sorry if this is not the right place to ask this but I’m on a gap year (as I am applying to law school) but dream of being a prosecutor. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for job opportunities that are public interest/ similar to the environment of a prosecutors office. I feel like their are not that many options or jobs open for people with just a BA but if anyone has any recommendations or suggestions I would appreciate them :)

I’m transferring to my county’s juvenile delinquency unit in a few weeks. Prior to starting at our office, I had two years of experience in juvenile dependency (child abuse/neglect matters representing the state/child welfare services). I worked in family law firms while bar prepping. It was admittedly a very difficult leap from the civil and criminal world. After a year and a half of handling misdemeanors and low-level felonies, management thinks I would be successful with a fresh start in the juvenile delinquency unit. I agree with them. Everyone in the office agrees that I would benefit from more time with my cases. I’m known to take a generally more “rehabilitative approach” unless a defendant is clearly not a good probationary candidate (e.g. multiple probation violations, failures to appear/report, extensive criminal history, severity of crimes committed while on probation).

Has anyone done this lateral move before or vice versa? Any advice/tips?

I am an incoming 4L evening student and work full time in a midsize civil defense litigation firm in a major city. My firm has extended an offer to me to return as an attorney, and has even offered to continue paying my current salary while I take the full time after graduation to study for the bar. It’s a pretty sweet deal, I like my office, and I generally enjoy what I do. Financially, it is definitely the best option for me.

However, I have always wanted to a prosecutor. I went to law school to be a prosecutor with the hopes of eventually working into victim advocacy. It’s extremely personal to me. I am worried that if I stay at my firm because of the money, I will wake up in 5 or 10 years and realize I don’t recognize myself or my career.

My question is, what are my chances of becoming a prosecutor if I chose to stay in my current firm for a year or two? I have some criminal law experience (I briefly worked in law enforcement as a dispatcher, took the advanced criminal law courses, did a post conviction criminal law clinic, trial ad, and did some human rights/victim advocacy ECs) but no internships, as I have been working full time throughout school. If I want to be a prosecutor, do I act now or lose my chance?

Hi all, I am a rising 3L in the middle of an crisis lol. I have spent the last 6 years (college and now law school) intending to practice an environmental law but after this past summer, I’ve decided that it is likely not for me. I’ve decided to spend this next school year exploring different options including prosecution. I am interning at my large citys DA’s office but am also torn between applying to large law firms and taking corporate classes, or sticking with the path I’ve been on, or going all in on criminal law/prosecution. I feel like I’m trying to hold every door open right now but don’t have enough arms to do so.

I am just looking for some insight into what your careers, long-term QOL, job placement post-grad (I’m really stressed about being unemployed post-bar, seems like everyone I know already has jobs lined up for next year), and if you would recommend prosecution? I have loved all my crim law classes and performed very well, I’ve loved moot court and oral argument, but civil litigation is just too slow moving for me. I appreciate any advice or insight and will try my best to answer any questions!

With a little luck, I’ll get an offer to join a certain DA’s Office before too long. If so, I’ll happily accept.

Although I’ll happily accept, I also don’t want to prosecute the trivial cases (dwi first, negligent operation, etc.) forever and would like to prosecute more serious cases, of the sort dealt with in superior court, quickly.

Is there anything I can do to fast track getting to superior court? I know to some extent it is out of my control, for example dependent on vacancies at superior court that may not occur for a while. And of course I know that I should just do as good a job on my cases in district court as possible, for its own sake and because that might grab the attention of people in charge of promotion or whatever.

But outside of just being as good an ada as possible, is there something else that can be done? How often do adas transfer in state to different counties to get a superior court position that has emerged?

hi all! anyone work for their office as an intern? would love to know your thoughts.

Hi everyone,

I am in my undergrad program and heading to law school soon. I just completed an undergrad internship with my large city DAO, but I'm wondering about the pay and what to expect as the years go on... Is there typically a standard yearly increase for all employees, or are there times when there's no pay increase? Is the pay increase decent? I enjoyed my experience and just wanted to make sure that as time goes on, I will be compensated appropriately for gained experience.

Thank you!

Rising 3L from SoCal looking at post bar clerk positions further upstate and would love others’ input on working central/norcal counties. Would like to hear about case loads, relationships with law enforcement, growth, and any general info helpful in making my decision. Thanks!

Hi everyone! We’re conducting a short survey for school purposes about whether minors ages 10–17 who commit crimes should be prosecuted or given more emphasis on rehabilitation. We’d really appreciate your opinions, as your responses will help us understand different perspectives on this issue.

The survey only takes around 1–2 minutes to complete, and we’re hoping to get at least 100 respondents. Your participation would mean a lot to us! 💗

Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to answer! 🫶

Survey Link: