Political science alumnus prosecutes gang-related crimes in Columbus
Steve Schott ’07 knew he wanted to bea prosecutor since he was a teenagerbut decided to take an unconventional path.After graduating from Wooster,hejoined Teach for America wherespenttwo years aseighth-gradespecial education teacher in North Carolina.“I was fortunate when I was an elementary school kidto have a teacher that really changed my lifeso before going intolaw,I wanted to do that first,” Schott said.
After graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law,Schott worked for nearly six years at the San Diego District Attorney’s Office before returning to Ohiowhere he now works as an assistant prosecuting attorneyin the gang unit. “My primary charge at the moment is investigatingandprosecuting gang related crimes in Columbus,” Schottsaid.“Iam in court almost every dayand cancarry over 100 cases at any one time. The majority of those are,unfortunately,high-levelfelonies that range from shootings to murdersandrobberies.”
Despite the violent nature of these crimes, Schott explained why doing legal work is important.“I wanted to spend time prosecuting what I would consider to be the worst of tworst; that is,folks that make things less safe for people who just want to walk down the street,” he said.“Gang crimesarea significant problem in our major cities,and I’d like to spend time trying to protect my community the best way I can.”
At law school,however, Schott had the ability to see the other side when he worked on a case for the Innocence Project,which seeks tovindicate those who werewrongly convicted. “Iworkedon a successful exoneration for a man whowas going to spend the rest of his life in prison for a murder that he did not commit,” he said. “I thought being able to see the other side would make me a better prosecutor; that is, to better appreciate the real world consequences of errors in my chosen profession.”
During his timeat Wooster, Schottparticipated in moot court,astudentlawprogram that simulates appellate arguments before the Supreme Court.Theexperience allowed him togainessential skills for both law school and his career as aprosecutor.“The ability to just think on your feet in response to questions and articulateaposition is something that,whetherforlaw or any other type of work,helps buildtheconfidencetospeak publicly—you can’t put a price tag on it,” Schott said. “I did moot court inlaw school,and I had friendswho wereextremely intelligent and bright, butI could tell that they just didn’t havethe same experience as me.Fortunately,because ofWooster, Ihadaleg up when I got there.”
Schottaddedthat Wooster’s academic curriculumwas alsoa major factorin preparing him for law school. “Wooster’s critical thinking requirements are in many ways akin to law school,” he said.“I always credit my professors in the courses I took at Wooster—including..—but it’s the requirements that really prepareyou for the next step,whatever that next step maybe.”One of thoseprofessors wasMark Weaver, professor emeritusof political scienceandformer moot court coach.“Mark cares about Wooster and cares about that program,” Schott said. “I think he knowswhat it can do for students,and I can certainly speak to that from first-hand experience.”
As a prosecutor, Schott explained that he does not always have good days, but there are certain moments that make the jobworth doing.“The most rewarding part is when you get to speak to a victim following the resolution of the case and[they]feellikeit was at least a fair,if not just,result,” he said.“One time, the parents of a murdered young boy huggedme afterwards—I was just a law studentat the time—and it almost makes me tearupto this day thinking about it.Itreallymakesyou go home and feel good about what you’re doing.”
Schottis grateful for his experiences at Wooster and how they prepared him for his prosecuting career. “To this day,I’m thankful for the education I receivedwhenIwas there,” he said. “I come back and judgemoot court competitionsbecause of my feelings towardthe program and the connection I still want to have withit. In fact,I met my wifeat the Collegeso that’s also part of the connection. I’m thankful forWoosterandthetype of education it provides.”
Above: Steve Schott ’07 in his Franklin County office where he works as a prosecutor in the gang unit
Posted in Alumni on November 2, 2020.
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