Steven Arthur O'Connor

Steven O’Connor

1500 J Street, Second Floor

Mailing: 1509 K Street #179 Modesto, CA 95354

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Experience

Law Office of Steven O’Connor

Modesto, CA

September 2013-present

General criminal defense practice with additional experience representing plaintiff

in a civil rights/police misconduct case. Represented client charged with 187PC

through guilt and sanity phases of jury trial. Motion work includes a motion to strike

a 667(b)PC prior based a Proposition 47 reduction of the underlying charge,

motions to suppress under , and motions to compel discovery.

Stay-Home Dad

South Pasadena, CA

October 2010-September 2013

Responsible for care of infant/toddler.

The Kavinoky Law Firm

Los Angeles, California

Attorney, March 2010-October 2010

Criminal defense practice focused on driving under the influence charges. Obtained

complete acquittal by jury for a client charged with DUI, won motion to suppress for

illegal police actions at a sobriety checkpoint, and won several administrative DMV

hearings.

Edgewood Family Center/Kinship Program

San Francisco, California

Tutor, March 2008-June 2009

Tutoring in literacy and mathematics for children who live with non-parental family

members. Developed strong relationships with students and provided general

mentoring.

Office of San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi

Volunteer, April 2005-October 2008

Performed research and assisted with the drafting of legislation, prepared for Board

and committee meetings, and solved a wide range of constituent problems. Public

policy issues addressed included San Francisco’s plastic bag ban, tenants’ rights, and

community policing.

Marin County Public Defender

San Rafael, California

Deputy Public Defender, 1995-2000

Inspired and led office-wide increase in jury trials. Acquittals included impaired

driving cases and a drug possession charge. Aggressively pursued motions, writs,

and misdemeanor appeals. Won appeal of restitution order in hit and run case.

Supervised law students in all aspects of criminal defense practice, including jury

trials.

Stanislaus County Public Defender

Modesto, California

Deputy Public Defender, 1991-1995

Won the majority of 52 jury trials. Performed extensive investigations with special

emphasis on witness credibility. Educated defendants and defense witnesses about

the trial process to maximize positive outcomes. Acquittals included many serious

felony cases, including an alleged child molestation case with 23 counts. Won jury

trial on issue of whether or not the record of a prior conviction constituted proof of

a “strike.” Ended a court-wide practice of illegal shackling at preliminary hearings

by pursuing writ in the Court of Appeal.

Law Office of Joyce Sasse

Hayward, California

Law Clerk/Attorney, 1989-1991

General civil practice with emphasis on personal injury cases.

Education

Student

2000-2003

Course work at several colleges; focus on mathematics with additional classes in

economics and political science. Tutored mathematics at City College of San

Francisco Math Lab.

New College School of Law

San Francisco, California

J.D. 1989

Fought for clients’ Social Security benefits at the General Assistance Advocacy

Project. Represented indigent defendants as an intern with the San Francisco Public

Defender. Won PC motion as a certified law student.

City College of San Francisco

A.A. 1985