For the Journal

POCATELLO - Eileen McGovern's foray into criminal law doesn't appear at first blush to have much in common with her love of philosophy.

She initially decided to pursue a career as a prosecutor in part to afford her more time with her two children, something that would be difficult for a newcomer in the private legal sector.

However, after working for the Bingham County Prosecutor's Office for a time, she developed an appreciation for helping the community through her work, something that appeals to her philosophical bent.

"What I didn't understand was that prosecuting is primarily about helping folks out, and getting them the right treatment and care … not so much locking people up like folks would imagine," McGovern said.

A graduate of Idaho Falls High School, McGovern received her undergraduate degrees in English and philosophy from the University of Idaho, where she also got her law degree in 2006.

Health concerns with her mother prompted McGovern to seek work in Southeast Idaho to be near her.

McGovern commuted to Blackfoot from Pocatello for a year and a half but recently accepted a position with the Bannock County Prosecutor's Office.

Her new position places McGovern in charge of the juvenile and child protection cases, a shift from her previous work, prosecuting DUI cases for Bingham County.

McGovern feels that her time in Bingham County will prove beneficial to her new focus because both deal with aspects of substance abuse treatment. She also gained valuable court experience, learned to work with defense attorneys and partnered with various agencies to ensure people get the help they need.

"I think things don't change much from one kind of law to another," McGovern said. "The real motivator here is to try to help these families, to try and help these children, and once again there is usually substance abuse involved.

"But what it comes down to most of the time is all of the parties working together to figure out how to get people back on the right track, how to get these families back together."

McGovern recognizes that sometimes reuniting families just isn't an option.

"Of course there is also a punitive side, but usually the driving thrust of the case is how to best get this person fixed up," McGovern said.