Say hello to the newest Public Defender in California.

[Progressive Law]

I start on Monday. Initially, I will mainly be conducting legal research, client interviews, and assisting other senior attys in trials. This Spring, I should be given a case load consisting of low level misdemeanor charges.

I want to thank DU for all the positive and inspirational comments you posted in my last thread. Per your suggestions, I have scheduled an appointment at my original high school to speak to students. I do not know if my original guidance counselor is still at the school though. I will see.

[Roland99]

1. Congrats!

[AndJusticeForSome]

2. Congrats!

[Ponietz]

3. I made a career of PD work and loved it

Congratulations. I recommend NITA and NCDC at Mercer Law School. There are scholarships and grants for PDs.

[mahina]

4. Hey many heartfelt congratulations!

That is awesome. Tak care to balance health and family/social sustaining activities.

I’m grateful for your service and hope never to need it. Aloha.

[intheozone]

5. Congrats to you 😉 nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Congratulations & thank you for helping people. . . . nt

[byronius]

7. Critical task. Great karma.

Shiny you are. Yes yes. Mmmmmhh.

[dlk]

8. Good for You! Congratulations and All the Best!

[MrScorpio]

9. Hopefully, one day you'll become a District Attorney

We need more liberal Democrats as DAs in this country.

[NoMoreRepugs]

10. Waytogo....Congrats.

[marble falls]

11. Good job! Just promise if you feel yourself becoming cynical about your clients ...

you'll come talk to us before joining the prosecutor's office!

[ZeroSomeBrains]

12. Congrats!

[badhair77]

13. Congratulations!

I hope you find much satisfaction in helping others. Be sure to take time for self-care also.

It’s great to see a young person so enthusiastic. Keep us updated on your career.

[PatSeg]

14. Congratulation!

[barbtries]

15. i hope you love your job.

it's bound to be incredibly stressful I think. take care of yourself. congratulations

[murielm99]

16. Congrats!

I wish you a wonderful career.

[PoliticAverse]

17. Best wishes to you! n/t

[iluvtennis]

18. congratulations!!!

[CaptainTruth]

19. Congratulations!!! Great job!

[BadGimp]

20. Keep us posted k?

Best of luck!

[lunasun]

21. Glad you scheduled the school appt . Bring it forward , students need it & you know

that from experience there!
Congrats on the Cali PD
Happy for you things are moving along well!

[alwaysinasnit]

22. Wonderful news! Try to find someone there who could serve as a mentor, both to keep you

sane and show you where the pitfalls lie. My best wishes to you in this wonderful new phase of your life.

[Blue_true]

56. Yes, in that type of job, a good mentor is critical. nt

[Shrike47]

23. Congratulations! The work will be fascinating.

I will give you my advice about courthouse work given to many young attorneys over a long career : always use the restroom when you get a chance; it may be a long time before you get another opportunity.

[magicarpet]

24. This guy isn't even college material...

.... how the hell did he pass the California Bar Exam ?

Go get em,.. God Bless !

[oasis]

25. Best wishes for a great career.

[AJT]

26. That's great.

The legal system needs good people like you.

[rgbecker]

27. Hope you enjoy your ride on the Nation's best run railroad.

America's Justice System.

[MineralMan]

28. It's a very, very important job you have.

You will be defending those who cannot hire an attorney. They will need your help desperately.

Some will be guilty, and some innocent. Defend them all as if you were being paid handsomely.

Thank you !

[greymattermom]

55. Even if they are guilty, they need to

be guilty of the correct crime, and to have someone negotiate a deal for them too.

[calimary]

29. That's FANTASTIC!

Wow! Congratulations, Progressive Law! Great accomplishment for you - AND for the people of California. They need you. We all need you!

[pandr32]

30. That is wonderful--congratulations!

[kooth]

31. Congratulations!

Way to go! You will be great!

[panader0]

32. Congrats!

Spend some time with your clients. For most of them, a PD is necessary
because of financial woes. I once had a PD who never called me or met
with me until 5 minutes before my court appearance. He and the judge were
golfing buddies and just worked things out in chambers.
Sometimes, it's not just the representation that's needed, but the sense
that someone is on their side.
Do some good out there, and congrats again.

[Solly Mack]

33. Excellent!

[Dem_4_Life]

34. Congratulations!

[niyad]

35. congratulations!!!!

[blueinredohio]

36. Congratulations and keep us posted every time you win a case and when you move up the ladder.

[pioche4]

37. Congratulations, and Awesome for Sharing with your high school!!

I wish you all the best luck. And also for choosing to share with your high school....as you know, teens' interests are all over the place. Think of it as 'planting seeds'...sharing your story (and I totally recommend writing a short feature for the high school newspaper)...you won't necessarily get any real time responsiveness, but the seeds will be there, and at some point, somewhere, your story will 'click'. Anytime spent on demonstrating and sharing 'real life struggle, focus, hard work and reward' for teens is worth it. Because the images they see everyday across their social media feed make things look oh so easy, and as we all know, life is...well, life!

Happy Friday and Congratulations!

[yuiyoshida]

38. Omedetou gozaimasu!

Where in California? NorCal? SoCal? Central Cali??

[samnsara]

39. congrats!

[sinkingfeeling]

40. Congrats!

[FakeNoose]

41. Congratulations and good luck on your new job

Your story is exceptional and inspiring! I'm sure the high school kids will be interested.

[Luciferous]

42. Congratulations!

[Hekate]

43. Congratulations!

The other place you might want to speak at some day is the community college that gave you a launching pad.

Cheers, and all the best!

[ROB-ROX]

44. ONE OF THE GOOD PEOPLE

ASSISTING THOSE WHO HAVING NOTHING AND REQUIRE ASSISTANCE IS EXCELLENT. I never had to go to court except for a few tickets. I know there are people in the public who require the support which people like you will be providing.......The policy of balance good and bad is VERY important for a democracy to remain a democracy........

[bluestarone]

45. Congrats to you!

I'm sure you will defend them all as they should be defended!! TY for being there for them!!

[TomSlick]

46. Good on you!

A very difficult and even more important job.

[ms liberty]

47. Yay for you! Congratulations! n/t

[Hassin Bin Sober]

48. Congratulations!

I have a couple dear friends who are long time Public Defenders. They are some of the smartest and kindest people I know.

[Mr.Bill]

49. Here's a Wikipedia page of one of the more colorful

Public Defenders in the state of California, Barry Melton of Country Joe and the Fish fame.

He's one of the few if not only only Public Defenders that can be seen taking a hit on a joint in the Woodstock movie. I've met him several times. He's a real nice guy. He spent much of his law career providing legal services for indigent clients.

[dawg day]

50. You're going to do important work.

Once you get acclimated, think about running for office!

[oldtime dfl_er]

51. congratulations!

[tazkcmo]

52. Double plus good!

I hope to never need your services. I also hope you have a good pair of sunglasses for your bright future!

[Delphinus]

53. Congratulations!

May you do well and be judicious and fair to all.

[Blue_true]

54. Use your experience to let the kids know that they should believe in themselves and never give up. n