State Attorney – Looking for a Few Good Men/Women”
On March 20, 1779 in Boston, Captain William Jones, United States Marine Corps, advertised for “a few good men” to enlist in the Corps for naval duty. This term has survived for 230 years. It is synonymous with public service in the Marine Corps.
Today, our new State Attorney, Michael McAuliffe, needs our help. In the past 18 months, legislators have cut his office budget by nearly 13%. His office is “running on fumes” with not enough prosecutors to staff courtrooms and prosecute cases. To combat this, he has announced a bold new initiative, beginning February 1, 2009, to take applications from attorneys in private practice who are willing to work without state pay to prosecute misdemeanors, including crimes such as retail theft (shoplifting), simple marijuana possession and DUI.
Mr. McAuliffe envisions that applicants will be younger attorneys in law firms who want trial experience as volunteers for these positions. However, the program is open to all attorneys qualified and willing to serve the public. He is looking for 12 to start with. You (the volunteer) will be trained by his office. The commitment will be 2 days per week for a minimum of 3 months and it is anticipated that the first group will start on March 1, 2009.
In these difficult times, there can be no greater call to civilian service than to serve in the interest of public safety and well-being. Besides, I have heard prosecutors (past and present) tell me informally that it is the best legal job they’ve ever had except for 2 days a month (payday)!
I would urge you, as a member of our Bar Association, to consider applying for this. Think of it this way - you’ll be learning a new skill for no monetary investment (that has great practical application to litigation of all sorts), you’ll be having fun doing it, you’ll be serving the highest interests of the public good and safety, and you’ll be contributing to the success of a first-of-a-kind program never before tried in our State. This is a program that, like Court ordered civil mediation started in Palm Beach County 25 years ago and now universally used statewide and nationally, will be recognized as ground-breaking and will itself spread if successful. Oh yes, and it will be a nice addition to your resume.
The term “gung ho” is often associated with the United States Marines but is actually Chinese (my Mandarin speaking son Eric tells me) and literally means “working together”. Let’s be “gung ho” for this unique and imaginative program and help our new State Attorney to make it a success and something to which we can point with pride. It certainly is in keeping with the purpose of our Palm Beach County Bar Association mission to serve the public as well as our profession.
