If you’ve ever wondered who actually works inside the Texas criminal justice system and what shapes the way they think, you’re not alone. Most people only encounter the system during stressful moments, often without understanding the people behind the decisions.
In this episode of So You Got Arrested, BRCK Criminal Defense sits down with Zach Dunn, a prosecutor whose path into the Texas criminal justice system didn’t start in a courtroom. It started in classrooms, government offices, and even a high-rise law firm in New York City.
His story offers something more than a career timeline. It gives insight into how prosecutors are shaped, how cases are approached, and why the system works the way it does when you’re caught in it.
This blog is drawn from real conversations on So You Got Arrested, the criminal defense podcast hosted by BRCK Criminal Defense Attorneys.
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Wherever you tune in, you’ll hear honest conversations about the Texas justice system from the people who see it up close.
How the Texas Criminal Justice System Is Shaped Long Before the Courtroom
Before stepping into the Texas criminal justice system, Dunn’s early life already set the foundation for how he would approach people and problems.
Growing up in a military family meant constant movement. New schools, new environments, and new social circles every couple of years. “You’re always on the outside… looking into a new environment,” Dunn explains.
That experience matters more than it might seem. In criminal law, the ability to read people, adjust quickly, and communicate clearly isn’t optional; it’s essential. After eventually settling in San Antonio, Dunn attended the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). But like many students, he didn’t immediately find direction.
“I woke up, I went to school, I went home… I truly had no involvement.” That changed when he made a decision that would shape everything that followed: he got involved.
Finding Direction Before Entering the Texas Criminal Justice System
Dunn’s turning point came when he joined student government and later became student body president at UTSA. That role opened doors to leadership, policy, and public service. More importantly, it connected him with mentors and opportunities that pushed him beyond what he originally thought was possible.
From internships in Washington, D.C. to working alongside public officials, he began to understand how decisions are made, not just in courtrooms, but in government systems that influence them.
That broader perspective becomes important later, especially when you consider how laws, funding, and policy directly affect how the Texas criminal justice system operates.
From Ivy League Law to a Different Kind of Legal Career
After UTSA, Dunn’s path accelerated. He interned at the White House and later attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School. From there, he entered one of the most competitive environments in the legal world: a major New York law firm.
For many attorneys, that’s the goal. High salary, prestige, and long-term security. But for Dunn, it wasn’t where he wanted to stay. A chance conversation during recruitment changed his trajectory, opening the door to opportunities he hadn’t expected.
“That… within a couple of minutes… changed everything for me.” He gained experience in corporate law, but something was missing, something that ultimately led him back to Texas.
Choosing the Texas Criminal Justice System Over Big Law
Leaving a top-tier law firm to join the Texas criminal justice system might not make sense at first glance. But the difference between the two paths is significant.
Corporate law deals with contracts, negotiations, and business interests. Criminal law deals with people, harm, and consequences that can change lives permanently.
“I want to practice law and I want to go back home,” Dunn says.
That decision reflects a shift in priorities. For some attorneys, the goal isn’t just success; it’s impact. And that impact is felt most directly inside the courtroom.
What Prosecutors Actually Do in the Texas Criminal Justice System
There’s a common misconception that prosecutors are simply trying to win cases. In reality, their role is more complicated.
Under Texas law, prosecutors are required to seek justice, not just convictions (Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 2.01). That means evaluating whether a case should move forward at all. Dunn puts it in clear terms:
“We take an oath… not to pursue convictions but to pursue justice.”
In practice, that includes:
- Reviewing evidence carefully
- Assessing witness credibility
- Deciding whether charges can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt
- Making judgment calls that affect real people
For someone facing charges, this explains why outcomes can vary. Every case depends on evidence, but also on how that evidence is interpreted and presented.
The Hardest Cases in the Texas Criminal Justice System
Dunn chose to work in the Special Victims Unit, which handles some of the most serious cases in the Texas criminal justice system.
These cases often involve:
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault
- Crimes against children
“These are the most difficult cases you can have… the most vulnerable population,” he explains.
These cases are not only emotionally heavy; they’re legally complex. Evidence may be limited. Witnesses may be reluctant. The stakes are high on both sides. For defendants, this highlights a critical reality: the strength of a case often depends on how evidence is handled, challenged, and understood.
How Experience Is Built Inside the Texas Criminal Justice System
Many people assume prosecutors enter the courtroom fully prepared. The truth is, much of that experience is built on the job. Dunn started with no trial experience at all.
“I had no courtroom experience… zero.”
Like many young prosecutors, he learned by doing, handling cases, going to trial, and adapting quickly. This became even more intense after COVID-19, when courts reopened and case backlogs forced rapid movement.
“You can either… be crushed under the weight or… learn from the people around you.” That environment shapes how cases move. It also explains why early decisions in a case can be so important.
From Prosecutor to Policy: Expanding the Role in the Texas Criminal Justice System
Dunn’s decision to run for Texas House District 121 reflects a broader view of public service. As a prosecutor, he worked one case at a time. In a legislative role, the impact becomes much wider.
“You’re serving your community one victim at a time… this is an extension of that service,” he explains.
That shift matters because:
- Laws determine how cases are charged
- Funding affects court efficiency and backlog
- Policy decisions shape how justice is applied
For anyone going through the system, those factors often show up as delays, outcomes, or opportunities.
Zach Dunn’s journey from military upbringing to Ivy League law school, from New York corporate law to Texas prosecution, offers a clear reminder that the justice system is shaped by human experience. It’s not just about laws or procedures. It’s about the people applying them.
And when you understand that, you’re in a much better position to respond, prepare, and protect your future.