THE NOT SO LEGAL SHOW (TNSLS): What is your current occupation?

District Attorney (DA): I am an assistant district attorney for Dallas County

TNSLS: Why did you decide to be an attorney?

DA: I love to argue and prove my point and why I am right and the other person is wrong.

TNSLS: Describe your first day on the job.

DA: First day was crazy; I was shown my desk and introduced to my judge, co-workers and then handed a stack of cases to begin to look at. I was thrown into the the fire.

TNSLS: What is your typical day like?

DA: My typical day is arriving at 8am. I look at the docket and see what cases might go to trial and what cases should be pled out. If a case goes to trial then I watch the video if there is one and talk to the police officers about what happened. Then I talk to defense attys all day long and do pleas with them or set trial dates. If I go to trial then I pick a jury and sit in trial all day. If no trial then I do paper work and catch up on dockets and get ready for the next day.

TNSLS: Do people charged with drunk driving always have to spend time in jail?

DA: They typically do spend a night in jail. As for punishment itself, if it is the first time for a DUI then we offer probation, however we offer jail b/c sometimes the person prefers jail time to get it over with.

TNSLS: Do you think you will ever have to represent someone that would create a moral issue for you in any way? What would you do if that was the case?

DA: I only represent the state now, so no. But if I do, I will turn them down as a client.

TNSLS: What do you think about our legal system in general?

DA: I think it is the best it can be. Every system can be changed over time, but for what we do and how the USA works, its the best option now.

TNSLS: Do you think someone that has been given a life sentence should be released if they show good behavior for a period of time?

DA: If someone has been given a life sentence, then they killed someone and therefore should spend their own life in jail. Good behavior should not allow someone to have a get out of jail free card.

TNSLS: If you get pulled over and the cop wants to give you a breath-a-lyzer (ha) - what would you recommend?

DA: If someone got pulled over, i would say do not take any tests. go to jail and then bail out and go to court.

TNSLS: What is the alcohol limit you have to be over to get a DUI?

DA: .08 is the limit

TNSLS: What is the worst lie you have heard someone say about whether they were drunk or not?

DA: As for the lie, I have heard they were tired, they weren’t drunk, but on drugs. And others.

TNSLS: So far, what has happened in your trials?

DA: It’s 50% now to win/lose which is pretty shocking.

TNSLS: Let’s say someone is pulled over for drunk driving and the cops want to search the car. Are they allowed to do that?

DA: Yes, they can get consent to search or warrant or if a weapon or something is found in plain view, they can do a Terry search.

TNSLS: For those of you wondering what a “Terry” search is, it is basically when a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that someone has committed, is committing or is about to commit a crime. To that end, for example, if you had a machine gun on your front seat but were pulled over for speeding, a police officer would likely have probable cause to search your car based on seeing the machine gun in your front seat. That being said, put the machine guns away and DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE.