2024 has been a year of tremendous growth. I completed my first full year as an Assistant District Attorney, attended a murder conference, took on new responsibilities with the county, and began my involvement with the State Bar of Texas. I spoke at universities, including my alma mater, grew as a mentor, and expanded my network. Despite all the work, I somehow managed to maintain a social life, travel abroad for the first time, and learn a new meaning of work-life balance. The upcoming year will undoubtedly bring new experiences in the courtroom as the 38th District welcomes a new judge, and I navigate this transition early in my career. Overall, this year has been incredibly nourishing to my personal and professional health.
The role of a state prosecutor is extremely humbling. Each case brings lessons that build on the last, and the cycle continues. I dove right into criminal law, studying, researching, and asking A LOT of questions. Over the past year, I’ve been in a district courtroom over a hundred times, handling various state jail and third-degree felony cases. I’ve managed motions to suppress hearings, sentencing hearings, and defended my indictments against motions to quash. I know. Some of you might not even know what any of that means. Trust me, I didn’t either. But I figured it out! The learning process is messy, practical, fast, and brutal because every court setting is unpredictable. The first 18 months as a state attorney taught me this:
Listening will teach you so much. There were days when my caseload was light in court. Rare, but they happened. On those days, I would sit back and listen to everything. I observed how defense attorneys conferred with my District Attorney, what arguments they made, and their concerns with each case. I paid attention to the evidence they sought, the points that triggered them, and made mental (and actual) notes. When reviewing my own cases, I did so with a more critical eye. Listening made me better, and I’m convinced I would be light years behind if I thought I could learn everything through self-practice and my own experiences. Sit in on hearings that aren’t yours. Talk with defense attorneys about their approaches. Listen to the judge’s concerns in other cases. It will help make your arguments stronger when you’re in front of the bench.
Distribute praise and own your mistakes. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the court system doesn’t function smoothly unless the court, district attorneys, and the defense bar find a flow. It truly takes a team to make anything happen, so be sure to pass along any praise you receive to those who helped you achieve it. This includes court staff, secretaries, and investigators. That said, mistakes are inevitable, and there is no room for pride in this field. The sooner you own your mistakes, the sooner they can be addressed, minimizing their potential impact.
ALWAYS talk to your victims. While the final decision rests with you, it’s crucial to consider their input. Their lives are impacted by every decision you make.
Be wise with the battles you choose to fight. As young lawyers, we’re vigilant and eager to make our voices heard. But if there’s one thing I learned starting my career at the felony level with more seasoned attorneys, it’s that sometimes pushing an issue only harms your relationship with the jury and your credibility with the community. There is nothing scarier than a reckless prosecutor. Like life, there is a time and place for everything. Grace and tact are integral parts of being a good trial attorney.
Voir dire begins when I leave my house. It starts when I’m picking up coffee, having breakfast at Sunrise Cafe, or in the elevator at the courthouse. As a small-town prosecutor, I frequently encounter people from my docket, sometimes even on the same day as court. As a public servant, maintaining good relationships with your community helps build trust.
There will be days when there is no easy answer. On these days, maintain composure, remember you represent the community, and trust in your conviction regarding whatever decision you make.
Everyone has a day one. The best thing I did for myself and those around me was admit that I was new to the courtroom. There’s no honor in presenting a false image that I had it all figured out when I didn’t. I knew I’d get the most out of this new role if I approached it authentically. Truthfully, I was extremely nervous in my early days in district court. But through my transparency, I found that both my court and the defense bar welcomed me as a novice attorney and supported me every step of the way. I accepted that these early years as a young lawyer would be rough and tireless, but I was determined to figure it out. I trusted that constant repetition and practice would sharpen my skills. I activated my athlete mentality and invested in the process. I knew it wouldn’t be perfect, but I would get better with each day, and I did.
While I’m only at the beginning of this legal journey, the first eighteen months have been filled with so many emotions: fear, self-doubt, excitement, frustration, disappointment, pride, and hope. Despite every unpredictable day and emotion, one thing remained constant: progress. I am not where I was a year and a half ago, and I won’t be in the same place a year and a half from now. 2025 holds so much in store, but first, some much-needed rest.
Adelante.
Happy Holidays!
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