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experience

Joseph P. Smith

Professional Experience
  • 2002 to Present -- Private Practice, Law Offices of Joseph P. Smith, specializing in Federal and California Criminal Defense
  • 2002 to 2002 -- Family Support Attorney, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
  • 2001 to 2002 -- Drug Court/Prop.36 Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
  • 2000 to 2001 -- Gang/T.A.R.G.E.T. Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Anaheim Police Department, CA
  • 1994 to 2000 -- Training Coordinator, Legislative Liaison, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
  • 1988 to 1994 -- Major Narcotics Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
  • 1987 to 1988 -- Felony Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
  • 1986 to 1987 -- Misdemeanor Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
  • 1985 to 1986 -- Juvenile Prosecutor, Orange County District Attorney's Office, Santa Ana, CA
  • 1983 to 1985 -- Regulatory Affairs Manager, MCI Telecommunications, Western Region, Sherman Oaks, CA
  • 1978 to 1983 -- Government Relations Manager, MCI Communications, Headquarters, Washington, DC

Education
  • 1983 -- Juris Doctor (J.D.) -- George Washington University, Washington, DC
  • 1978 -- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) -- Fordham University, New York, NY

Memberships
  • State Bar of California
  • California Public Defenders Association
  • National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) National Legal Committee
  • Orange County Bar Association
  • Orange County Peace Officers Association
  • California Narcotic Officers Association Ð Life Member
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Teaching Experience

(including Homicide, Narcotic Laws, Searches, Confessions, Trial Tactics, Gang Crimes, Domestic Violence, Drunk Driving, Evidence Collection, Report Writing and Courtroom Testimony)

  • Anaheim Police Department
  • Asian Gang Investigators Association of California
  • Azusa Police Department
  • Brea Police Department
  • Buena Park Police Department
  • California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)
  • California Department of Justice
  • California District Attorneys Association
  • California Gang Investigators Association
  • California Narcotic Officers Association
  • California State University, Long Beach
  • Cathedral City Police Department
  • Chapman University
  • Conference on Illegal Street Racing
  • Cypress Police Department
  • El Paso, Texas Police Department
  • Fullerton Police Department
  • Garden Grove Police Department
  • Huntington Beach Police Department
  • International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators
  • International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators
  • Irvine Police Department
  • Laguna Beach Police Department
  • Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
  • Los Alamitos Police Department
  • Los Angeles Police Department
  • Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
  • National College of District Attorneys
  • National District Attorneys Association
  • National Homicide Symposium
  • Newport Beach Police Department
  • Orange County Crime Lab
  • Orange County Sheriff's Department
  • Orange County Sheriff's Advanced Officer Training
  • Orange Police Department
  • Palm Springs Police Department
  • Santa Ana Fire Department
  • Seal Beach Police Department
  • Tustin Police Department
  • Vehicle Theft Task Force Conference
  • Western States Information Network

Other Distinctive Experience
  • California Narcotic Officers Association, Statewide Prosecutor of the Year -- 2000
  • Orange County Bar Association Board of Directors -- 2001 to 2002
  • Member, Legislative Committee, California District Attorney Association -- 1996 to 2001
  • Chair, Narcotics Enforcement Committee, California District Attorney Association -- 1999 to 2001,
  • Member, Narcotics Enforcement Committee, California District Attorney Association -- 1994 to 2002
  • Member, Training and Education Committee, California District Attorney Association -- 1995 to 2001
  • Author, CDAA Narcotics Prosecution: Filing and Preliminary Hearing Guide
  • Board Member, Training Officer, California Narcotic Officers Association, Region V 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001
  • President, Orange County Deputy District Attorneys Association -- 2001 to 2002
  • Board of Directors, Orange County Deputy District Attorneys Association -- 1998 to 2002
  • Orange County Narcotics Officers Association, District Attorney of the Year -- 1992
  • Orange County Narcotics Officers Association, Prosecutor of the Year -- 1994
  • Vice President, Tri-Cities Chapter, LeTip International -- 2009