CA: 33 years a p.d. (!)

Defender nears retirement - Michael Lawrence's 33 years of service as public defender sets record for longevity

The lawyer who defended California's poor and indigent longer than any other will soon retire from a life spent in and around the Monterey County courthouse.

Asked why he stayed on the job so long, Public Defender Michael Lawrence said, "Fear of a retirement party," with his usual deadpan delivery.

"Time just goes by," he said. "I really love the job."