First day at the SF DA

I should really say, "first day back" since I worked there part-time in the fall.

Anyway, it's look fantastic so far.  Huge difference from San Mateo.  They assigned me to Juvenile Hall, which is in this old Cold War-era building up on Twin Peaks (actually a much easier commute for me!).  At least according to the people who work there, Juvenile Hall, a.k.a. the YGC, is the best possible place for an intern to get experience.  They handle all sorts of cases there, and it has an interesting twist because there's a much larger focus on rehabilitation.  Even the attorneys who have been there 15 or 20 years still believe they can make a difference in most kids' lives.

I felt that part of my problem in San Mateo was I was in the office will all the younger DA's who were still trying to prove themselves.  When I went back to SF I requested to work in the Misdemeanors department, so I could compare apples and apples.  There are no young or inexperienced DA's in the YGC; they all have at least 5 or 10 years experience before they're even transfered to this department.  So I still wonder, was the situation I experienced in San Mateo unique to San Mateo, or is it the universal experience for young, inexperienced DA's who still feel the need to prove themselves?

Anyway, enough dwelling on the past.  I immediately picked up a good vibe at the YGC.  It was the same thing I remembered from before: they treated me with respect and cordiality, and took it for granted that I knew what I was doing.  I told them the experience I had, and asked if it would be possible to eventually do my own bench trial.  (A bench trial is the same thing as a normal trial, only there's no jury.)  They immediately put me down for two trials, both happening this month.

First day on the job and I've been given two trials.

So yeah, things are going well.  I think I'm gonna like it here.

J