What I Do

POLICE: 9-1/2 years California Highway Patrol: traffic law enforcement, accident investigation and reporting, firearms testing, evaluation and training, and competed on the CHP Pistol Team.
MILITARY: 18 months U.S. Army Military Policeman and Investigator, working with Army CID.
LEGAL: 13 years sole practitioner in corporate organization and operation, contracts, conservatorship and decedent estate proceedings, debt collection, landlord-tenant, administrative law, and court trials.
12 years as a trial deputy district attorney prosecuting prison crimes, vehicular homicides, workers' compensation insurance and automobile insurance fraud; working in liaison with city, county, state and federal officials on law enforcement questions; conferring with the District Attorney on matters of policy and procedure; and representing the DA in civil actions brought in his official capacity.
JUDICIAL: I worked 4 years part-time as a traffic and small claims judge pro tempore, presiding over traffic arraignments, trials and law & motion.
TEACHING: As CHP Officer, I conducted firearms qualification with remedial instruction; developed and ran live-fire training scenarios.
As Provost Marshall Investigator, I trained MPs on enforcement tactics, officer safety, accident investigation and report writing.
As Deputy DA, I taught at Department of Forestry seminars on investigation, preparation of case reports, courtroom procedure, witness demeanor and effective testimony. I arranged mock trials in a real courtroom before a judge, during which students testified and were subjected to examination by experienced criminal trial lawyers.
As Justice Advisor, I provided instruction and mentoring to Afghan police and prosecutors. Instruction was on law and procedure, but emphasis was on promoting and improving communication, coordination and cooperation between police and prosecutors by encouraging development of understanding, trust, and personal friendships between police and prosecutors, making use of crime scene scenarios and mock trial. I advised Provincial Chief Prosecutors on matters of systemic reform, including creation of a dedicated family violence prosecutor position.