David Lim talks about the experiences and politics of being a deputy district attorney.
Associate Deputy Public Defender Brian Bloom and Deputy District Attorney David Lim visited the Street Law class on Oct. 30 and Nov. 5, teaching about the criminal justice system through their opposing positions.
Brian Bloom has been a public defender for 24 years. A public defender represents defendants who cannot afford a lawyer by finding reasonable doubt within a case.
“I enjoy being in court, arguing, analyzing and trying to be persuasive, but ultimately it’s helping people,” Bloom said. “[I strive] to hold the state, the government, to its burden of proof, to make sure they do things the right way and to be really compassionate and humane to my clients.”
Street Law student senior Isabelle Young admired Bloom’s encouraging character and career.
“Something I really admired in Mr. Bloom is that he specializes in cases involving mentally ill people because the criminal justice system isn’t a place for [them],” Young said. “Those people should be rehabilitated [and] in mental facilities rather than thrown into prison. That really inspired me to look more into people that aren’t treated equally and are underserved in society.”
David Lim has worked as a district attorney for 18 years. As district attorney, Lim charges cases, prosecutes crimes and represents the government in criminal cases. In his position, Lim said he strives to promote a more fair system.
“To me, helping people who have been victimized by crime, being able to speak for them, get some closure for them and make sure that they don’t suffer needlessly for being victimized [is] very important,” Lim said “But it’s also very important for me that the government not be heavy handed and that the government acts with restraint wherever possible, but also with decisive action when it’s necessary.”
During his visit, Lim explained how he finds political diversity critical to the success of a government. He explained that defense attorneys are often associated with conservatives, but he himself is liberal.
“Our government is built in such a way that you need people who represent the entire spectrum,” Lim said. “If you do not have people along all portions of the spectrum politically acting as your deputy district attorney, you’d be [in trouble].”
Junior Desiree Bouttie said Lim’s insight on political diversity was eye-opening and has changed her perception of conservatives.
“He completely knocked down what I thought about the stereotypical DA,” Bouttie said. “I don’t dislike conservatives anymore, and I used to hate conservatives. I have a huge appreciation for them because of what Mr. Lim says; we need people to keep us in check, to make sure we’re not being too easy on people. It needs to be 50-50.”
Bloom taught history and government at Aragon from 1984 to 1989, but left to pursue law and has been a public defender since.
“I [became invested in] constitutional history and the Bill of Rights because I love teaching about it,” Bloom said. “The more I taught, the more I wanted to learn, [so] I went to law school. I loved my colleagues and students, but I figured it wasn’t something that I was going to do forever.”
In contrast, Lim initially disliked the job of a deputy attorney due to the conservative stereotypes associated with the position, but changed his mind after clerking for a judge during his first year of law school.
“[Before, I thought], DAs are all conservative, lock-em-up types. I’m not a Republican … [who puts] people behind bars who don’t belong there.’ I want to rehabilitate people and give people second chances,’” Lim said. “[But district attorneys] have the ability to, and the heavy responsibility of, looking at cases and deciding what to charge. My judge told me [if] you really want to make a difference, the best place to do it is behind a desk in a suit, reading police reports [as a district attorney].”
Street Law teacher Cristina Trujillo felt the guest speakers’ opposing professions complemented each other well.
“It was good to hear from [people that] actually the job, especially the two of them together. Those two roles play off each other.” Trujillo said.
