Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Rivera Hurtado.
Hi Cassandra, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was convicted for a crime I did not commit in 1998, my life was ruined and taken from me at the age of 19. I had two beautiful children that I was about to leave behind due to someone’s hate and deceit from being rejected.
I ended up serving almost 14 years of a 15-year sentence and came home in 2013, our case was picked up by the Innocence Project of Texas who worked so hard to prove our innocence and succeeded in doing so.
Since being home, I have become a paralegal for Attorney John Zepeda doing family law and I absolutely love my job with him, I also work with the Domestic Violence Survivor Program, and I am an advocate for Victims and Survivors making sure they feel safe while facing the court system and their PUV’s.
I am also an advocate for the Innocence Project of Texas which gave us our lives back, I try my best to help those that have been wrongfully convicted by being a voice for them.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Coming home after being in prison for so long, I had to learn all the new technology, cell phones, computers, the new styles of clothing, etc.
I had to learn to become part of a society that let me down with my head held high knowing that I have a beautiful family that loves and supports me.
I would look around in disbelief that I was finally home.
As you know, we’re big fans of the Zepeda Law/P.E.A.C.E. Initiative. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I work for John Zepeda and the P.E.A.C.E. Initiative Family law is a lot of work, we work with victims of Domestic Violence aiding in getting them to a safe place if needed and providing resources to those who need them.
The reason I love being a paralegal and advocate is that when I was 19 and going thru the court system, I was lost, afraid, and alone with no one to guide me or help me understand what was going on. I help clients to understand and feel safe.
So many attorneys just take your money and run, trust me I know and I will never work for any that does that to their clients. Outside of the jobs I work, I answer questions for people who do not have counsel and need assistance.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Our city is a very cultural place and I love it, the food, the music, the drinks. It’s so colorful downtown and I would not leave it, all my roots are here. There is nothing I do not like.
Contact information:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007343419052
