A Career Shift Towards Prosecution

D’Aversa recently made a meaningful decision regarding her professional life. “I will no longer be the lawyer but only the honorary prosecutor,” she stated. “I have just filed with the Treviso lawyer my request for suspension from the forensic exercise. I remain a lawyer, but I will no longer exercise to definitively embrace the career of the honorary public prosecutor according to the provisions of the ministerial decree communicated on 29 March. A choice dictated by the desire for greater tranquility and security.”

This transition reflects a growing trend in the legal profession, where individuals seek roles that offer stability and allow them to focus on specific areas of law. In the United States, a similar trend is observed with attorneys moving from private practice to public service roles, often citing a desire for more predictable hours and a greater sense of purpose.

Cases That left a Mark

D’Aversa’s career has been marked by several deeply affecting cases.When asked about the cases that touched her most, she recalled, “Certainly two kidnappings of person to the detriment of two women, a narcotized and brought to Morocco to marry the husband chosen by the family. And the other seized at home by her husband, in the Coneglian countryside, and repeatedly abused. cases that caused me a profound restlessness because I realized, once more, what really the condition of the woman is also in the 2000s.”

these cases highlight the persistent issue of violence against women and forced marriages, a problem not limited to Italy. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. This translates to more than 10 million women and men each year.

An Ethical Dilemma: Defending the Indefensible

one of the most challenging moments in D’Aversa’s career involved a particularly disturbing case. “I was on duty and I was appointed officer defender of a man who sexually abused the two children. The smallest had been filmed. He was 9 years old, just like my daughter. In addition,the appointment arrived on my child’s birthday. I was very disturbed. I said to myself that I coudl not defend a pedophile. Then,I thought I had to defend a person and not a crime.”

This statement encapsulates the ethical tightrope that defense attorneys frequently enough walk. The American Bar Association’s Model Rules of professional Conduct emphasize that a lawyer’s duty is to provide competent representation to every client, nonetheless of personal feelings about the client or the crime they are accused of committing. This principle ensures that everyone has the right to a fair trial.

Confronting Murder and Finding Humanity

D’Aversa also shared her experiences with murder cases. “Yes, it happened to me. And it was a huge human effort. I supported the defense of the 19 -year -old student Mihail Savciuc, who confessed to having strangled his ex -girlfriend Irina Bacal, 20 years old, 6 months pregnant with her son. I said to myself ‘I cannot defend such a thing’.But then we go beyond the fact in itself and it turns out that there are other truths, other reasons, I do not say justifications for charity, and that the defense is guaranteed in a state of law. then, I defended Riccardo De Felice that at 24 he killed his father believing him an alien. The thing that struck me in that process was Riccardo’s mother, a woman with an amazing moral force. He never left his son, sick, who had also killed her husband. He lived the pain, but he was not struck down. She is a woman who admire deeply.”

these cases illustrate the complexities of the human condition and the importance of understanding the circumstances surrounding a crime. They also highlight the resilience of families who are often left to cope with unimaginable loss and trauma. Recent studies in criminology emphasize the role of mental health and social factors in understanding violent behavior, advocating for more extensive support systems for both victims and perpetrators.

Gender Bias in the Legal Profession

D’Aversa spoke candidly about the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated profession. “We women are still discriminated against,” she asserted. “Ours is a male chauvinist society. In the hearing they call me lady, not lawyer or prosecutor. I remember that a judge, since I did not have the toga, told me that the next time I would have to go to the Baby Doll. Or customers who struggle to pay a woman’s lawyer than a man and tell you too.”

Her experiences mirror the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the legal field. Despite progress,women lawyers in the U.S. still face significant challenges,including pay gaps,limited opportunities for advancement,and gender bias in the courtroom. According to a 2024 report by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), women in law earn approximately 82 cents for every dollar earned by men.

Finding Joy in the Present

Despite the hardships she has faced, D’Aversa maintains a positive outlook on life. “I don’t have it as every day for me it is indeed a joy,” she said, referring to her dreams. “In January 2021 I was hospitalized and operated urgently. It looked like pancreas cancer and I thought I would have died in six months. After 20 days they told me he was benign. Here, from there my life has changed.I am happy with what I have. I don’t ask for more.”

D’Aversa’s experience underscores the importance of gratitude and resilience in the face of adversity. Her story serves as a reminder to appreciate the present moment and to find joy in everyday experiences.

FAQ: Navigating a Career in Law