Personal Statement

Freedom and justice were two concepts that were engrained in me from adolescence. As the child of two immigrants who fled to the United States from communism in Romania, my parents made sure to instill in me the value of freedom to make decisions for myself and to never abuse that freedom. They grew up believing that the government could bend the laws to conform to the ideals of whoever was in charge, using it as a weapon. The idea that our government seeks justice for wrongdoing and not personal gain is a sacred value to me.

During my undergraduate years, I had an extremely difficult time deciding what field I wanted to study. While most of my fellow classmates were finishing their core requirements and moving on to major-specific courses,

It was obvious through this conversation that criminal law was the place for me. It was the fluidity that fascinated me; laws are constantly changing and can be interpreted in any variety of ways. Two sides can have the exact same set of facts and the difference between one outcome and the other, the possibility of someone spending their life in prison or not, is simply how the evidence is interpreted. With that, he suggested I attempt a minor in Criminal Justice if I wanted to challenge myself. It was the perfect combination; I learned how police and agencies go about investigating crimes and then how fruit of that labor is used to prosecute a crime. I got to see how differently attorneys and law enforcement worked and problem-solved; and how one could aid or impede the

As a legal assistant, I support Assistant United States Attorneys in the investigation and prosecution of federal crimes. On a daily basis, I have the pleasure of working with the FBI, ATF, DEA, Secret Service, and law enforcement officers drafting search warrants, subpoenas, and court motions. I am able to assist and observe the attorneys during witness interviews, court proceedings, and trials. I have a first-hand look into how the federal legal system works, but that is not enough for me. I want to do more than assist. I want to understand what effect we have on the criminal justice system and how we are changing the country for the better. Working closely with law enforcement from every level, I realize I want a more proactive role in the safety and security of the United States and its citizens. I have come to know of many local and state police officers, federal agents, even US Marshals who have gone through the Westfield State Criminal Justice graduate program. The course is rigorous, in-depth, and exactly what I’m looking for in continuing my education. As a part-time student, I will continue working in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and will be able apply the teachings directly to my work, to see past what I’m doing and to understand