We were lucky to catch up with Cassandra Hurtado recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cassandra , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I am paralegal for The Domestic Violence Survivor Program and for Attorney John Zepeda. The reason I love being a paralegal and advocate is due to the fact that I was accused and convicted of a crime I did not commit in 1998.
I had no knowledge of the legal system and how it works. I had no one to help me understand what I needed as far as good representation. The lawyers we had barely spoke to me regarding our case so it left me scared, not knowing what to expect.
We were exonerated in 2016 by the State of Texas with so much love and help from the Innocence Project of Texas.
Today being a paralegal and advocate makes me so happy. I am able to be there for those who know nothing about the system by explaining to them what to expect so that they don’t feel alone or in the dark like I once did.

Cassandra , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I always wanted to be in the legal system some how to help people. I was incarcerated for 14 years and was disgusted with my representation. They did nothing for me as far as a defense and it gave me a sentence of 15 years. I love talking to our clients, whether its during the week, in the evening, or on the weekend. I want them to know that they are heard and that we are always here for them when they feel no one else is. I am proud of myself because I overcame and survived the imprisonment for the wrongful conviction handed to us.
I do not wake up mad at the world, I instead try everyday to make it a better place. I am proud that I am showing my children, grandchildren, and my niece that life is and can be as beautiful even with all we go through and that being strong for others is so important to me. I love my life right now doing what I was intended to do.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As soon as I was released from prison in 2013, I stated working two weeks later. I went back into society to try to give my children a life that I was not able to for fourteen years. I put myself through paralegal school while working for Attorney Rosie Speedlin who is a Judge now. I never let myself fall into sadness, anger, or hate for the accusers. I prayed for them instead and met one of them who apologized to me at the Court house when I was released.
I also met one of the prosecutors on our case from back in 1997 at a Fiesta party, I told him I forgive him and took a selfie with him. You cannot stay bitter because it will only hurt you in the end.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I met Patricia Castillo from the The P.E.A.C.E. Initiative by and through a good friend, She Is an amazing Advocate and Mentor, I absolutely love her, I also work for Attorney John Zepeda, we do family and some criminal law. I love working with him and feel like he has taught me so much while being here, I feel like we are family so coming to work everyday is happiness to me.