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Touching Bases: Dee Joyce-Hayes（英文）

By Tom Hoerr

1989年9月

此内容暂无简体中文译文，以下为英文原文。

Historical September 1989 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

In describing why she loves her job, Dee Joyce-Hayes, a resident of the 6100 block McPherson and a prosecutor in the City Circuit Attorney’s office, says: “In some very small way, I feel the work I do makes a difference to people.

We deal every day with people who are hurt, who need help, who depend on us—not only in a legal sense, but in a human sense:’ Dee was raised in Lexington, VA, a small town of 7,000.

When asked whether she could return today to live in her hometown, she replies, “Some days I think I could, most days I think I couldn’t. It’s a much more peaceful environment; crime is almost nil.

It would appear to be a wonderful place to raise kids, and it certainly has its appeal…But a part of me thrives on the things you find in a city that you don’t find there!’ Dee graduated from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA— the first person in her family to finish college—and moved to Washington, D.C. intending to “get a job in government!’ She initially worked as a receptionist at a law firm and was soon promoted to office manager.

She was later employed by the Norfolk & Western Railroad in the “lobby office” and then worked for the Department of Transportation.

During this time she met her first husband, Steve, then an aide to U. S. Senator Tom Eagleton.

At the time of her marriage, Dee remembers, she had an “inkling” to go to law school. Dee and Steve moved to St. Louis in 1972 so that Steve could run for the Missouri House of Representatives from an area that included Skinker-DeBaliviere.

They moved on the 6000 block of Westminster and Steve was elected to the State House. Dee says they knew that they wanted to live in Skinker-DeBaliviere, but buying a house in the neighborhood wasn’t easy in 1972: “Our real estate agent was from a tiny suburban agency.

He sat in the car with the doors locked until we pulled up.

He was very nervous:’ There was a good deal of red-lining then, she remembers, and it was necessary to assert oneself with lenders in order to get a loan.

In 1977 Dee enrolled in St. Louis University’s School of Law.

In reflecting on her law school experiences, she says, “St. Louis University had a fine atmosphere. I felt that since I would be practicing in St. Louis, it would be a good place to be. ‘Humane’ is used many times to describe the St. Louis U. law school experience, and it’s true!’ “Going back to school as an older person made a difference!’ she continues. “I was more mature and stable, much less intimidated than I would’ve been earlier.

I was much more directed; I really wanted to be there. Altogether it was a real pleasant experience. I enjoyed law school:’ Dee graduated in the spring of 1980 and was carrying Rob, now a third grader, at the time. Rob was born in November and Dee started with the City Circuit Attorney’s office in February of 1981. “It was the only place I applied!’ she notes. “I wanted to be a trial attorney and knew I could get the experience there!’ “I never expected to be in the Circuit Attorney’s office this long,” she continues, “I never planned to be a career prosecutor.

The reality is that I like what I do and I feel a commitment to my job. I’m very happy there, it’s my niche:’ “The worst part of the job!’ according to Dee, “is telling people ‘no: It’s facing people who’ve been victimized and telling them that there’s not enough evidence to make a case. You’re only meeting people under circumstances where they’ve been victimized, and now they feel like the system is victimizing them again!’ She takes a deep breath and continues, “You have to work awfully hard not to let it get to you.

The ‘kid cases’ (cases dealing with abuse to children) bother me the most:’ In March of 1989 Dee was promoted to “First Assistant Circuit Attorney!’ In this position she handles the warrant office and grand jury, does some administrative work with the 40 attorneys in the office, and is the liaison to the Police Department. Dee states that she has the option of taking a case if she wants it. “Often, traditionally (the person holding this role) will take only one big case per year. It’s important to help keep one’s skills and also important for the younger attorney’s to see this” she observes.

When asked whether she would be interested in Circuit Attorney George Peach’s job if he were to retire, Dee says, “I’d love the job, theoretically. Practically speaking, I don’t feel that I have the political connections or clout that I’d need to have the backing to run (for the elected office).

The bottom line is that you need ward organizations and people to give money.

I have no illusions to having these kinds of ties:’ In summary, she says “It’s a political office, although George doesn’t run it like one.

It is, though, and you can’t get away from that!’ In 1984 Dee and Steve were divorced.

She met Gary Hayes, a policeman who was assigned to the Circuit Attorney’s office, and married him in August of 1986. Today Gary is a private investigator with “Hayes Investigative Services, Inc:’ Dee and Gary love to travel and enjoy scuba diving. Lately they’ve been to Aruba, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Dee and Gary have a daughter, Elena, who was adopted in July 1988.

She is from Mexico and came home with Dee and Gary when she was two months old. Dee’s memories of the adoption are vivid: “We started the adoption process in May of 1987.

It took us all of spring and summer to get the paperwork done. Then we received a call one night—a Monday evening at 2:00 a.m.—telling us that she was born three days ago.

We had to be there, Mexico City, by Thursday!” Elena, according to Dee, is “wonderfully good natured:’ When asked how she can reconcile the demands of her job, Rob, Elena, Gary, and her two cats (Linn and Tai), Dee says, “I’m fortunate to be married to an absolutely wonderful person who can change his schedule to help or accommodate me.

The fact that he is in business for himself certainly helps. Whenever I need him, he’s there without being asked to be!’