David M. Garland

My parents and all three of my brothers served our country in the military and I continue to maintain a deep respect for those who serve and fight for our beloved freedom. But after visiting the Air Force Academy as a soccer recruit in high school, I realized the structure of the military is incompatible with my personality. My law and order themed childhood initially led me to start my legal career in the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor. There was a sign on the wall at the office that read, “Seek justice, serve justice, do justice. However, I quickly learned that promotions were based on “statistics” (trial verdicts) and asking a supervisor to dismiss a case in the interest of justice was not a good career move. Prosecutors have an ethical obligation to only continue to prosecute cases and charges where there is a reasonable likelihood of conviction. I came to the conclusion on my own that just because you have the power to prosecute a case or can get a conviction doesn’t mean you always should do so. That realization made me different. It made me go out on my own and start my own firm, and to seek justice in my own way. Larry was facing a third strike and 25 years to life in prison for an armed robbery of a marijuana distributor. The DA had no offer for him and the case proceeded to trial. The jury found his two co-defendants guilty but Larry was acquitted of all changes and was released the same day the verdict was announced. Alexander stabbed two men in a bar fight. The men were severely injured and Alexander’s blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit. The DA offered him a 7 year prison sentence. The offer was “low” because the DA saw that there was evidence that Alex acted in self defense. Alex rejected the offer, the case proceeded to trial, and Alex was acquitted of all charges. Larry and Alex are just a few reasons why I do what I do.

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