Alejandro “Andy” Pascual literally lives to serve.
His resume is extensive with a range of roles, from assistant district attorney in judicial circuits in DeKalb County and Athens, Ga., to a federal prosecutor in Augusta to his current position as deputy chief assistant DA in Columbia County’s new circuit.
“Andy is an accomplished prosecutor at both the state and federal level, a field grade officer in the reserves of our Army and a veteran of the war on terror,” said Bobby Christine, Columbia County district attorney. “Our community is blessed to have him join their prosecution team as deputy chief.”
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Pascual has sought and fulfilled many capacities since earning his law degree from Cumberland School of Law in 2005, most of them as prosecutor. As a young attorney in the Appalachian judicial circuit, which included Pickens, Gilmer and Fannin counties, he was program director of the Violence Against Women unit.
Pascual went on to work eight years in his hometown in Atlanta as an assistant DA in the Stone Mountain circuit before spending three years as an assistant DA, supervising two attorneys as lead, in Athens.
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Pascual had no ties to the CSRA before taking on the function at the southern district of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and moving he and his family to Evans.
“I pursued my dream to be a federal prosecutor,” said Pascual. “That’s what brought me here to Augusta.”
Over the years at these numerous offices, he prosecuted drug cases, murders, child molestation and countless violent crimes. For Pascual, a turning point in how he understood the gravity of his profession came after his deployment to the Middle East.
Pascual enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2012 and trained as a lawyer in the Judge Advocate General Corps, where he is currently acting as senior defense counsel, a contrast to his prosecutorial work. In 2014, Pascual was deployed to Kuwait, where he would help create the combined joint task force for Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military campaign against ISIS.
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“That’s one of those jobs that JAGS dream about,” said Pascual. “Because we are not on the battlefield holding guns and shooting at the enemy, but we give legal advice to the commanders who send those people out.”
Pascual was an operational law attorney, advising on targeting and rules of engagement for airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. He saw that his counsel and deliberations had real time consequences.
“You come back; a lot of things get put into perspective on how you deal with criminal offenses,” said Pascual. “When you see and read things about what they’re doing in another country where there’s almost no rule of law.”
Part of what led to Pascual’s decision to enlist was to honor his father, an army veteran, and his great-grandfather, who was a career Philippine Scout for the army in both world wars, even surviving the Bataan Death March.
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Pascual is a first generation American as both his parents are from the Philippines. He is married with four children. The desire to honor his family and a strong sense of obligation and service are a uniting factor throughout his career.
“I’ve always felt this calling to serve the community, whether that’s through my military service or as lead defense attorney,” said Pascual. “It’s very rewarding, when you’re able to hold people accountable for their actions and you’re able to represent the interests of victims, your fellow citizens.”
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Pascual emphasizes his belief that the job of a prosecutor is not primarily about putting people in prison or trying to get guilty verdicts but doing what is right by everyone. This entails approaching cases with empathy and compassion, examining all evidence, practicing law ethically.
“You put people in prison you’re afraid of, not people you’re angry with,” said Pascual. “People make choices, but if you choose to do something that violates the law or encroaches on somebody else’s choices and their lives, then you get held accountable for it, that’s how it should work and that’s how it does work.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
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