Some cases move quickly, but others go very slowly.  Lab analysis, further tests, witness availability and new information such as DNA evidence can spring up. A witness list might grow or change, Pearson says.

“In every case, a piece of the puzzle will be found, often drastically changing everything,” he said. “We need to be prepared for information that hasn’t been processed, and to have everything we need to present the best case. We don’t put a price on justice, though sometimes there are limitations. We have to balance the costs to better serve the public.”

“We deal with people who are volatile, and often facing severe consequences,” he said. “It’s important to be mindful and careful. We just want to continue to serve to the best of our ability, to see that all defendants are treated equally, and to ensure that all victims are treated equally. We listen. We try to be consistent and very fair to everyone.”

Pearson has handled many high profile cases, but the bulk of the work in the DA’s office might not make the front page. These situations, too, deserve top level attention, and matter deeply to the people involved in them, Pearson said.

“We’ll take each case as it comes to us and do our best,” Pearson said.