Date: July 10, 2015
OCDA PROSECUTOR RECEIVES CALIFORNIA DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION’S “INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR” AWARD
SANTA ANA – Senior Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) was recognized by the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) for his outstanding commitment and exceptional performance as a seminar instructor for the CDAA. Mestman received the prestigious “Instructor of the Year” award last night, July 9, 2015, at the 2015 CDAA Summer Conference Installation and Awards Banquet held at the Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa.
Each year, the CDAA honors those who demonstrate an outstanding dedication to advancing the ideals of criminal justice. The “Instructor of the Year” award was established to recognize the most influential and effective CDAA seminar speakers who provide intensive training to thousands of prosecutors, peace officers, and allied professionals. The CDAA training department selected Mestman as an ideal candidate for the “Instructor of the Year” award due to his thoroughness in instruction, passion about challenging topics, and willingness to take initiative.
Mestman has been a prosecutor since 2001 and working at the OCDA since 2006. Mestman has worked on a range of assignments over the years, including law and motions, and vertical prosecution units including Sexual Assault, Gang, and DNA. Mestman is currently assigned to the Special Prosecutions Unit, where he prosecutes cases primarily focusing on public integrity. He has conducted over 75 jury trials and serves as a current member of the CDAA Legislation Committee.
Over the past year, Mestman has instructed fellow attorneys and members of law enforcement on various topics of the law. He has proved to be extremely knowledgeable about the topics he teaches and has consistently received outstanding feedback from his seminar attendees. Topics Mestman has covered in CDAA seminars include: Jury Selection, Sentencing for Felony Prosecution, Prosecuting Physical and Sexual Abuse of Children, and Advanced Child Abuse and Sexual Assault.
“Mr. Mestman is serving not just the people of Orange County, but also the people of California by teaching members of law enforcement and prosecutors how to be better. I am pleased that Orange County prosecutors continue to set standards of excellence throughout the state, and I am grateful to such a prestigious organization as CDAA to recognize one of our own,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.
“Even with Mr. Mestman’s healthy caseload and other responsibilities in the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, he always makes teaching for CDAA a priority,” said the CDAA training department. “He is an extremely knowledgeable instructor who is very passionate about the topics he teaches.”