John Sempek knows the Douglas County Courthouse quite well because he used to face criminal charges there. Now he’s helping out at the city prosecutor's office.

“Come down, help out, see where I can give back.” Sempek volunteers so he won't copy his past mistakes. “Violation protection order, fighting, disorderly conduct.”

Sempek says he met City Prosecutor Marty Conboy and most of his assistants in a courtroom standing before a judge. Sempek says he was a defendant in at least 40 misdemeanor cases over the last 16 years.

“Putting me away all those times ended, saving my life in the long run.”

Sober and law abiding for two years, Sempek asked Conboy to let him do small tasks around the office so the legal staff could focus on the constant flow of misdemeanor cases.

“This is kind of some way to pay back and to look at things that go on this side of the counter we like to say and hopefully maybe someday he can help other people on the other side of the counter,” said Conboy.

Volunteering in the city prosecutor's office has changed Sempek’s view of the people who enforce the laws that he used to break.

“I was on the other side all this time and never got to see the good part about these people. I didn't know people cared down here, the cops and the attorneys down here. On the other side you think they're evil and don't care, but actually they do.”

Sempek says he's living proof that some repeat offenders do turn the corner and leave the courthouse on the right side of the law. “It's a whole new world. Had to grow up and learn things the hard way.”

Sempek says he's been on the straight and narrow for two years thanks to weekly AA meetings and a good job as a bricklayer. That allows him time in the winter to volunteer at the city prosecutor's office.