"Judge"

BY JADE MARTIN

A judge, who is a former social worker, sees on the news all the time how the system fails us. Just today, the story told of a woman who reported domestic violence to the police, only to have her case neglected. Days later, the woman was killed. “My heart shattered for this woman who sought help but justice wasn’t done. I vowed I will not let this happen again.” This judge has a mission to help society to have a fair system. 

I spent five years as a social worker helping homeless people get into stable housing. I’ve seen all the justness and unjustness in the system. One story that haunts me is that of a woman whose life was ruined by domestic violence. She was sent to prison because she killed her husband in self-defense — the husband who also gave her HIV. Her children were taken from her. It shows the system is broken and unjust, leading a woman to become homeless. 

I attended law school and received my Juris degree. While attending law school, I interned at a law firm where I worked under the supervision of a lawyer. I eventually passed the Bar Exam and continued working as a district attorney for the law firm. 

Working as a prosecutor, I still see the system fail, but the most I can do is bring trials to court, and the jury or the judge decides whether or not the defendant is guilty. I’ve worked as a criminal prosecutor for a very long time, so now I can basically know what to expect from the trial. I’ve seen the betrayal of the system, but I’ve often asked myself how I can make it better. I have spent so many years as a prosecutor. I’ve seen how the system works and the judges' role in it. I want to be the person who holds up justice within the courtroom and spreads the respect and dignity the people deserve. 

Working in these jobs won’t get me rich, but these jobs are a way to help others to have a fair system.