The Attributes You Want In A Good District Attorney
District attorney positions are typically voted on by the public at a regular interval. If you have an election coming up in your area and are wondering who to cast your vote for, it might be worth taking a step back to consider which qualities you are looking for in someone to fill this important position. Here are some of the personal or professional attributes that any potential district attorney should have.
Previous Experience as an Attorney and Perhaps Some Roots in the Community
The position of district attorney is a serious role and the person that fills the position should have a great deal of previous experience inside a courtroom. As the lead prosecutor for your area, a good DA will bring people to justice and defend the public from harm when necessary. It can be helpful to have someone as a DA who has roots in the area, as this makes it more likely the DA already knows the local judges and defense attorneys and will have a smoother transition into their new role.
Empathy for Everyone on Both Sides of the Law
Being a prosecutor isn't just about putting people behind bars. A good prosecutor has empathy for not just the victims but also, in some cases, the defendant. If there is a first-time offender charged with a small misdemeanor and the offender did not harm another person, you may want this person to have a chance to be rehabilitated. The justice system at its finest is supposed to be about rehabilitation and providing second chances at life for defendants where appropriate. There might be some cases with major crimes where this is not in the public interest, but a good DA will find the right balance between seeking justice and retribution when needed and offering small-time offenders a second chance to push the reset button on their behavior.
A Strong Moral Code That Compels the Attorney to Do the Right Thing
Finally, a prosecutor and a good DA in particular has a strong sense of right and wrong. You want a DA you know will never be corrupted and will always do what is best for the public interest. Look for someone with a track record of always making the right decision.
Reach out to your local election officials or the candidates themselves for more information ahead of Election Day. And see what candidates there are for DA like Andrea Harrington for district attorney.
