Career Exploration: Being a District Attorney

 

Choosing a career path can be extremely intimidating to a young person. In this Career Exploration series, I interview many different fields of study to help students explore the possibilities as they pursue a career path.

Meet Bruce Hoffer, 1^st Assistant District Attorney of Hardin County, Texas.

Why did you choose this career path?

AFTER WATCHING THE MOVIE, "AND JUSTICE FOR ALL", I WANTED TO BE "THE GREAT DEFENSE ATTORNEY, BUT THEN I REALIZED THAT I WOULD BE IN THE COURTROOM MORE OFTEN AS A PROSECUTOR.

What kind of education, training, or background does your job require?

AN UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE DEGREE IN ANYTHING AND THEN A LAW SCHOOL DEGREE (JURIS DOCTOR).

What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to success in this field?

DEPENDS ON THE AREA OF LAW ONE PRACTICES WITHIN.  FOR TRIAL WORK - LIKE I DO - PEOPLE SKILLS AND THINKING ON YOUR FEET.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I REVIEW A MULTITUDE OF DIFFERING TYPES OF CRIMINAL SITUATIONS AND PEOPLE OF VARYING BACKGROUNDS.  I READ A LOT (BOTH CASE FILES AND LEGAL OPINIONS). I SUPERVISE SUPPORT STAFF IN PREPARING DOCUMENTS OR OBTAINING EVIDENCE.  I COMMUNICATE - BOTH IN WRITING AND ORALLY ON THE TELEPHONE - WITH OPPOSING LAWYERS "THE STATE'S POSITION" ON A PARTICULAR ALLEGED CRIME PURPORTEDLY COMMITTED BY A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL.  I SEEK TO FIND MITIGATING EVIDENCE THAT MAY CHANGE MY VIEW OF A PARTICULAR CASE.  ULTIMATELY, I "PRESENT EVIDENCE" TO A JUDGE OR JURY AND REITERATE MY VIEW OF THE FACTS PRESENTED.  WHEN WE DO GO TO TRIAL, I QUESTION THE POTENTIAL JURY PANEL REGARDING THEIR VIEWS OF PARTICULAR FACTS, OF PARTICULAR CRIMES AND HOW THEY THINK ABOUT VARIOUS THINGS - WHETHER THEY SEE THE "BIG PICTURE" OR INDIVIDUAL PARTS THAT MAKE UP THE WHOLE.

What do you like most about your work?

THE HIGH ANXIETY OF TRIAL.

What do you like least about your work? 

GETTING READY FOR TRIAL, ANTICIPATING TRIAL AND THEN SOMETHING OCCURS WHEREIN THE TRIAL IS POSTPONED.

What advice would you give someone who is considering a career in your field?

MULTITASK (LISTEN TO MUSIC, WATCH TV AND STUDY ALL AT THE SAME TIME).  PAY ATTENTION TO SENTENCE STRUCTURE.