Misdemeanors, Felonies, Domestic Violence, Theft Cases, and Appeals
jacquelyn.stenson@cohendefense.com
In her decade and a half career, Jacquelyn Stenson has worked as both prosecutor and defense attorney and held her own at each. However, it’s unsurprising that for an attorney whose favorite book is Harper Lee’s famously justice-oriented novel To Kill a Mockingbird, defense work is especially meaningful to her. For Jacquelyn, it’s about people.
“I like meeting people that the law is actually impacting and trying to help them better their lives and circumstances,” she said. “I also like getting to know different people from different points of life.”
Jacquelyn began her legal career in 2007 as an intern at the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, where she stayed on as a lawyer after earning her degree. She later served as a prosecutor in both Madera County and Sutter County. In 2016, Jacquelyn transitioned from prosecuting criminal cases to defending people facing charges. With a variety of experience in criminal courts, in both misdemeanor and felony cases, Jacquelyn has learned that she prefers to work on the defense side of criminal law because it gives her the chance to work directly with people who need help. Defending people in court allows her to have a direct impact and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of her clients.
“Jacquelyn’s experience on both sides of the courtroom gives her a unique advantage over her opponents and benefits her clients greatly. She can dissect a prosecutor’s case with her inside knowledge and use her years of experience as a defense attorney to get the best result possible,” says Jacquelyn’s colleague, Joe Alexander, “Jacquelyn is a confident, composed, and compelling advocate on behalf of the people she represents. But don’t be fooled by her calm demeanor. Her extensive experience demands respect, bringing to mind President Teddy Roosevelt’s famous quote: ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick.’”
Jacquelyn’s keen attention to detail, deep knowledge of the law, and ability to stay calm under pressure work well in managing even the heaviest caseload with care and precision and make Jacquelyn a standout in the legal community. “One of the judges in Sutter County asked if I wanted to be a judge, because he appreciated my attention to detail and ability to work through the issues,” she said.
With a deep commitment to defending the rights of individuals, what’s most important to Jacquelyn is that her clients know “that I care about my job and that I always go above and beyond for them.” It’s not unusual for her to take on tasks outside of her job description because she knows doing so will help her client.
Jacquelyn approaches every new case with her signature calm and patience. Her down-to-earth manner helps people handle the stress of the criminal justice system. “I try to explain things in simple terms so that I make sure that everybody’s understanding what’s going on.” She emphasizes being “honest and realistic” with her clients’ expectations, so they know what they’re facing. She works hard to get them the best resolution. For Jacquelyn, her work is about bringing each client clarity, dignity, and the chance to be heard.
When she’s not working, Jacquelyn is chauffeuring her two kids to sporting events or escaping into crime fiction, which delivers the kind of tidy endings real life doesn’t always offer. “Sometimes I stay up way too late getting to that satisfying ending,” she says with a laugh.
A native Californian, Jacquelyn grew up in the East Bay and has practiced in the state her whole career. She became a member of the California State Bar in 2008. Education: University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A. Law & Society, 2004); McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific (J.D., 2008). Member: Placer County Bar Association, California Public Defenders Association.