Inside Interview: Kristi Harrington
For the long-awaited resumption of our Inside Interview series, we wanted to mix things up a little bit by looking beyond the usual politicos and taking a look at some of those who seldom get recognized for what they do. This week, our guest is Kristi Harrington, a Deputy Solicitor in Berkeley County.Why her? For starters, prosecutors work hard. She’s worked in the area of Internet predators, which my father did before he retired from the City of Charleston PD. She’s also a single parent, like myself, who successfully juggles work and her responsibilities to her home.
For those of y'all who don't know, being a single parent is a lot like being married: you have to work, be a parent, and be generally super-responsible. The differences are that you sleep alone at night, and when life gets tough, there’s nobody to back you up or lean on.
My first discussions with her took place on a late Sunday evening, after she’d spent all day at her office, working on cases. That’s dedication, and when you’re the only parent on the home front, a hell of a tough juggling act.
Kristi is a Francis Marion alum who got her law degree at the University of Tulsa. While others went into more lucrative legal professions, her career has been spent as a prosecutor, and she’s also worked as an adjunct professor. This is someone to whom serving others is a passion, and our hats are off to her.
So, like all the other suckers we’ve interviewed, we’re gonna throw some questions at her, and see what she throws back at us:
Tell us, in one paragraph, what made you consider law school?
Because I couldn’t stand the smell of the Gross Anatomy Lab ... in all seriousness, I remember when Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed. It was that day that I decided I wanted to be a judge and to be a judge, you do have to go to law school. I had been surrounded by the law from a young age. My uncle was a Charleston County Deputy and my dad is an attorney. I love to read, immersing myself in law books in my dad’s office. I remember writing a brief and a Motion to demand my father pay me for working in his office: I was 12 years old. The rest is history.
In the next paragraph, tell us why you’ve made your career as a prosecutor?
I started in the DA’s office in Tulsa my first summer of law school. By my second year, I was trying felony jury trials as I was fortunate enough to be involved in the legal internship program. It was then that I realized the thrill and satisfaction of being a prosecutor. Once you experience the adrenaline of jury trials, there is no other occupation that gives as much exhilaration as being in the courtroom.
Most people don’t realize how much private attorneys make, compared to prosecutors. With your experience, you could be making double, triple, or more in private practice? What are the rewards for you?
I cannot easily convey the job satisfaction that I have. How do you put a monetary value on sending a child molester to prison? How do you value the cost of innocence to that child? The ‘rewards’ to me are invaluable. I recently had a discussion with a learned judge. I stated that a prosecutor always gets to do the right thing, whether the right thing is prison or a dismissal. Fortunately, he agreed with me. A prosecutor wields substantial power and must understand that in dealing with all cases. Car wrecks are easily settled, but decisions in my job can literally cost someone his or her life.
From one single parent to another – how do you juggle all the balls of being a parent and working such a consuming job, as well as being active in your community.
I am often asked this question, sometimes not so politely. My first response is I did not choose this, but I did take control of the situation. I feel that having a career makes me a better mother. Being able to provide financially is a necessity, and I feel that balancing work and family gives my son a positive role model. I have to be extremely organized and adept at multi-tasking. I often read cases sitting in the stands while my son practices football. I usually eat lunch at my desk so I can get everything accomplished at work that day. I get up early to make breakfast (my pancakes are legendary) and do a load of laundry. It is not always a piece of cake, but, somehow it all gets done…And, I like to think done well.
Last but not least, your favorite band and/or album of all time is … ?
I don’t have a favorite only because I truly do love all types of music. My musical collection ranges from Abba to Zepplin. Dependent upon my mood, I may need to hear Justin Timberlake (did I hear you groan, Earl) or Mozart. My closest friends would say that Kung Fu Fighting is my “theme song”, but my car CD player is full of Stevie Nicks.
If you'd like to get in touch with Kristi, click here to email her.
Seriously, she seems pretty passionate about her work and I'm sure the people of Berkeley County are well-served by her.
Maybe she'll run for Solicitor or Sheriff one day? This looks like someone I'd vote for.
I'm just trying to give a good public servant some well-deserved publicity. She's earned it.
Even if her taste in music ... geeezzz ... :)
Having been a single parent myself for 13 years, I marvel at her determination and desire to achieve her goals not only in her career, but in her personal life and with her son as well.
She is a true model of the perfect woman!!
Rock on, Hazel!!
1357 - stop thinking he's such a perv.
Alas, she is not true metal, therefore true love can never be.
But your loss is our gain. Having someone so hardcore fighting to put 'em behind bars, and make sure they stay there is a real asset to Berkeley County.
You're running a great blog, and she's running great trials. This is coming from someone who has seen both of you in your elements. I appreciate the both of you, and if she ever runs for anything, she's got my vote.
Kristi Harrington is the BEST choice for Berkeley County.
Good Luck, Ms. Harrington; we are honored to have you in our corner.
She has always placed her job and family first, which in many ways makes her the epitome of the first class prosecutor we need these days!
Maybe if all of you humps writing your platitudes in here are serious about what you are writing you will put your thoughts down in an actual letter and ask her to run for solicitor, because she is the only candidate who would enter the race that would be putting people over politics.
Just a thought, have a great weekend everybody...rock on First Baptist Hurricanes!
Thanks for all you do Kristi and I look forward to working with you soon!
Just a comment on Ms. Kristi Harrington.
I have had the pleasure of being around Kristi on several business and social events and find her to be extremely pleasant and engaging.
She has a special place in my heart for her passion for the game of golf and I appreciate her eagerness to learn more about the "games traditions" and mechanics of the golf swing.
Larry W. McKeehan
Sorry, that's the way it works. There is always something new stirring in our pot in the Blogland.
I am like many of you here who have been touched by her passion and commitment to her family and her career.
I do not get to speak to with her as often as I used to but I feel that if she ever needed my assistance, I would do what ever I could to help. She is a great person and she deserves all that she wants.
Best wishes,
RDW
In a perfect world crimes against children would never happen. However, since we live in the real world we should all feel a little better knowing we have someone like Kristi Harrington on our side!
The speaker's brother is on the screening committee, whose law partner is also a candidate. What does that tell you?
In such a judiciary, there is no room for an ethical person like Ms. Harrington on the bench. She would be outstanding and set too good an example.
Such decent, honest, and devoted public servants are rare for a reason. People like her make the scoundrels stand out and look bad.
She also has the distinction of being a lecturer for the National College of District Attorneys at various prosecutorial conferences accross the country. These assignments are reserved for the College's most highly regarded and highest rated faculty members.
In sum, you have a nationally renown prosecutor in your own back yard. Kristi's appointment to the bench will be the prosecutorial profession's loss. But it will be the Bench's gain. It's good to know she will continue to use her considerable skills and ability for the betterment of her community and greater public good.
Kind regards,
Michelle Huffman
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Kristi through our affiliation with Berkeley County PTA. She has been a valuble addition to our district PTA board of directors. I truely hope she is appointed to the 9th Circuit bench as a judge as I know she has the talent & compassion to do a wonderful job. We will miss her assistence but know she will continue her efforts to try to insure a safe & productive future for the young people of our area.
She is a wonderful role model for all of us to emulate. She is also a wonderful mother, a positive & fun person to be around 7 a darn snappy dresser!
Keep up the great work, Kristi & thanks for all your hard work & determination.
Your friend in PTA.
Laurie Chevalier Fritz
Berkekley County PTA President