LoStracco Interview - Ashleigh Fontenot

“Alcohol is real big issue of today’s college.” Nicole Lostracco said in her Monday morning interview with Ms. Bond’s class. Lostracco said she could only imagine what the parents of Nikolas Gallegos, who died of alcohol poisoning felt in their time of grief. She said she could only us this experience to better prepare her children for when they get older.
Ten days before Nikolas’ death LoStracco had just given a speech to Stephen F. Austin’s student body. She explained to the students how alcoholic issue is a vector in criminal cases. LoStracco named many cases where alcohol played an important role date rape, hazing, and underage drinking to name a few. She also said that this situation made her want to tell her kids when they get older about alcohol how it gets abused.

After this incident of an SFA student dying LoStracco noticed that the whole college community took it seriously and cracked down even harder. People in the community realized that this is a problem and are doing many things to put it to and end. Awareness is one way of protecting the people. “Liability in this day and age is a big deal,” said Lostracco. More people are being held accountable for these alcoholic related crimes.

She also said alcohol crimes occur more frequently today then they did when she was growing up. It wasn’t something that officers were looking for as much. Now changes are being made almost every year. Looking back just a few years ago the punishment to for crimes were less compared to what happens now. LoStracco came from a background of lawyers in her family her father and godfather. She began law school at Texas Tech University. “I really enjoyed family law classes while I was in law school,” said LoStracco. Throughout her college career she visited her father in Hawaii over her breaks from school. After finishing college she was invited to come to Nacogdoches by her boyfriend at the time that she went to school with. LoStracco said she always liked to ride horses and it seemed like the place. LoStracco LoStracco said: “I never saw myself as much of a city girl. If you come back to a small town like Nacogdoches you have find your niche.” LoStracco described the opportunities in Nacogdoches for law.

LoStracco found her in a spot at the District Attorney’s office. When she started she was receiving paralegal pay but was promised in a year that her salary would increase to the position she was carrying. She did that for a few years and then took a job in Lufkin but the driving commute was too far distance. Today LoStracco is working toward becoming the District Attorney of Nacogdoches. She is running against Stephanie Stephen who currently holds the position. Lostracco was inspired by the many people of her city voicing their complaints and asking her to make the improvement. LoStracco believes that many problems that exist in within the judicial system of Nacogdoches can be fixed with her strategy.

“There’s a difference between being good lawyer and good office manager,” she said. Lostracco feels that the lawyers need good management. LoStracco says number of cases won by the city has decreased. The number of wins went from mid 80 percent to mid 50 percent. “There are some things that need to be changed in office,” she said.

“I’m probably one of the younger lawyers in town,” LoStracco said with a grin on her face. LoStracco, who some might consider looks young for her age 37 is dressed business casual in for the fall season wearing a black sweater, gray wool skirt and black boots. She is a mother of two James and Juliette. Wearing a light bang over her face “ I comfortable talking in front of big crowds,” LoStracco said with confidence. “I don’t want a job where I can’t say what I think.”

LoStracco, a republican who has her eye set on the prize being Nacogdoches next district attorney in 2009. If she does not get this position LoStracco said she will continue to do what she loves and that is practice law.

As assistant DA she specialized in child sexual assault cases. They were emotional to her because she has children of her own. Being in the law business for a while LoStracco said one can usually tell when a child is telling the truth. They have very graphic details. She also said when cases go so far in the judicial system the child is usually telling the truth.

Her advice to Ms. Bond’s class was to tell the lawyer the truth. The most truthful knowledge that is given to the lawyer, the better case they can build. She also said she will not represent someone who is dishonest.