If someone had walked up to Jan Scully 40 years ago and told her she would grow up to be district attorney for Sacramento County, she would have laughed in disbelief.

Scully is the first female to be district attorney for Sacramento County and the second longest serving.

She is also president of the California District Attorneys Association, again the first woman to hold this position, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Web site.

As a child, Scully had aspirations of becoming an investigative reporter, like Nancy Drew.

But during her four years as government-journalism major at Sacramento State, Scully’s career aspirations changed.

During one of her semesters at Sac State, while taking a constitutional law course with government professor William Dillon, she discovered her love of law.

In the class, Scully had to act like a Supreme Court Justice and give an opinion and deciding judgment on a hypothetical case.

“It was stimulating,” Scully said. “It’s funny now because I don’t remember what the case was about.”

Over her remaining years on campus, Scully didn’t have time to join any pre-law groups or sororities because she was worked 20 hours a week for the State of California. However, she said she found time for an occasional football game or theatrical play.

Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1973, Scully began her quest to become a lawyer at Lincoln Law School, located a few miles west of Sac State on J Street. After graduating from Lincoln Law and passing the BAR exam, she worked as a deputy district attorney for Sacramento County.

Scully was elected as district attorney in November 1994 and “has run unopposed ever since,” according to the Web siteScully said she plans to run for her fourth term next year.

Sitting in her corner office on 9th and G streets, the district attorney reflected on her goals.

“I want to be an advocate for the people of the Sacramento community,” Scully said. “I want to communicate and educate people on the law system.”

After a few moments to relax, Scully goes back to her busy work schedule.

As district attorney, she said no two days are identical. One day she may present her budget to the Sacramento County Board of Directors; another she may be dealing with a personnel issue.

She acknowledges that because she is an elected official, her job performance is “under a microscope.” She tries to maintain a professional manner and “tries to do the fair thing.”

Scully said two of the hardest things she has to deal with is reading a critical article in the media and being unable to convict a guilty person.

“You cannot win every case,” Scully said.

“I am very lucky and proud to be the face of the organization,” Scully said. “The 190 lawyers, the dozens of clerks and secretaries that work for the district attorney’s office, they are the ones that do the achievements.”

She said that while she has been considered for a higher office, she would like to remain at her present job. She enjoys the fact that she works in a non-partisan environment and that she has time to be with her family.

While being a district attorney for Sacramento County, she still manages to come home to her husband and two children. Scully said she and her husband encourage their children to go to college to broaden their minds and to experience more.

“They do not have to go to Sac State,” Scully said. “But if they do, great.”

Scully said that when invited, she still attends and supports Sac State. She was invited by President Alexander Gonzalez to attend the university name changing event in August 2005.

In 1996, the Sac State Alumni Association awarded Scully with the Distinguished Service Award.

“I was very honored,” Scully said. “I’m very proud to be an alumna.”

Linda Scott, the member services and event coordinator of the Alumni Center, said about 70 to 75 percent of the approximately 180,000 alumni from Sac State have stayed in the area.

“Sac State was a good school back then,” Scully said. “Now it’s impressive since it’s much more active with the community.

“The university has a lot to offer to students.”

Jamie Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]