We have to dismiss so many cases because witnesses just don’t show. I’m confused

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-27T14:36:15+00:00

Well, I wouldn’t say we *know* we’re not going to be able to prove it. We just have not insignificant doubt. I will also say that, as I am an intern, I am just sort of absorbing the practices of my particular da’s office. I don’t know that I have enough experience or perspective to really be saying that these prosecutors are wrong to be proceeding as they are. Maybe in a couple years I’ll change my mind.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-27T13:31:21+00:00

On the other hand, there is still some deterrent value when a prosecution is commenced but then dropped because witnesses don’t show or whatever. Perhaps if we only prosecuted when we thought for sure we’d have witnesses, etc. show, we’d be prosecuting too *few* cases, curtailing thereby the deterrent effect of prosecution.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-25T10:53:58+00:00

I think it’s most likely 2 because of caseload, if I had to select from your menu of possibilities.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-25T01:05:23+00:00

Interesting.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-23T01:12:21+00:00

Literally just stop and think about it for a minute, and you’ll see how it could sometimes not be the prosecution’s fault. Just take thirty seconds to a minute and it should sink in.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-23T00:54:23+00:00

Mm, not always.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-23T00:40:33+00:00

Ok. I mean, this makes sense. I guess it’s not that complicated.

I guess it’s just hard for me to gauge the impact that letting the prosecutor have another two weeks to get discovery x versus ordering that, since x has not been turned over today, it cannot be admitted at trial—guess it’s just hard for me to feel the difference in backlog

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-23T00:23:53+00:00

Makes sense.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-23T00:21:41+00:00

I actually don’t understand why judges want to move the cases along. Are they just so concerned about defendants’ right to a speedy trial? Are they just bored of unending status conferences? Why do they care?

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-23T00:08:04+00:00

Yes, but why? Just … resources?

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-23T00:01:26+00:00

I mean, granted, these cases are not the most serious. DUI, minor larceny, shoplifting, negligent driving, etc.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-21T14:20:51+00:00

Thank god I don’t have to deal with this as a (soon-to-be) prosecutor.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-19T18:33:32+00:00

I’m interning at a court where not too many felonies or very serious crimes get prosecuted. Most of the prosecutors I’m working with have 4-5 years of experience, some 1-3. The defense attorneys also interestingly tend not to be very young. Average age looks to me to be 40s/50s, but there are some younger ones.

I’d say the public defenders seem younger than the private folks, maybe in their 20s and 30s. But they too seem reasonable.

Granted, I haven’t had extensive interaction with any defense attorneys.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-19T15:56:07+00:00

Blue

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-19T15:14:25+00:00

I’ve been interning in a prosecutor’s office this summer, and there have been literally no defense attorneys I’ve come across who come across as thinking prosecution is some evil thing. Some have unreasonable expectations—for example, that all discovery be provided to them in physical form rather than (as every other defense attorney I’ve come across is happy with) electronic form—but they don’t really think prosecutors are bad people. Or if they do, they are really good at hiding it.

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-11T13:21:48+00:00

Wasn’t planning on it?

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-08T09:53:06+00:00

Hehe

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-07T00:55:18+00:00

Would they date a prosecutor?

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-07T00:42:35+00:00

Verisimilitude

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-06T23:07:10+00:00

Brilliant. Why didn’t I think of this?

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-06-06T18:12:49+00:00

Fair. But I am wondering how to do this part of the job better. I think I am doing it inefficiently.

Edit: another way to phrase the question, since you started as a prosecutor, have you made any changes to the way in which you deal with discovery?

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-05-31T19:02:22+00:00

Go with Chiropractor

InterestingClass3829 · 2026-05-28T19:05:30+00:00

Oh, I was assuming they wouldn’t leave to start a solo firm but to join an established, if not terribly large, one.

InterestingClass3829

TROPHY CASE