Fear not. Even if there was not specifically someone from the US Attorneys Office who applied this time, the person who is ultimately appointed may have little or no experience in Family Court, and perhaps very little experience in a courtroom of any sort.

I keep thinking of the recent Federal Court prospective appointee who could not at all define a motion in limine, could not at all explain the concept of Federal Abstention, had never taken part in a trial or even a hearing and had never even conducted a deposition(but sat in on 1 or 2 when newly licensed).A shocking combination of almost zero practical experience, combined with almost zero legal knowledge.

Some people who never really practiced, at least conduct research for large firms or agencies, and have a significant degree of knowledge of codified law. But that buffoon almost got appointed without any knowledge or experience of practical practice, and with zero book knowledge or research ability, to compensate at all.

After a law student takes Evidence, they can adequately define a motion in limine. And after they take constitutional law they can adequately define the abstention concept.

In fact, it got so bad during these hearings that the Senator gave the guy a break and re-phrased the motion in limine question, and now referred to it as a motion to limit evidence. Yet even with the answer now clearly stated in the question itself, he still could not answer.

He said something like"..um…um…I have not taken a deep dive into any of this…but…uh…if you like I can appoint one of my research assistants to…uh…assemble a brief on the matter…and we can send it to Senate Chambers, and to these committee members."

Which means that just when he could not look dumber, he actually succeeded in doing so. He apparently did not figure out that the Senator did not want a research brief on the issue. The Senator already knew what these concepts are, and merely wanted to see if the idiot knew what they are.

Think the fool's name was Peterson. He was questioned by Senator Kennedy form Louisiana. Watch the blood bath on YouTube.

Both political parties are guilty of attempting to advance candidates for the Federal Judiciary, and sometimes even the US Supreme Court,
who have almost no meaningful experience in the practice of law, and who also have very little academic or research-based knowledge. Often, both parties try to advance people who spent no time either practicing or researching law, but instead who spent their careers as bureaucrats at public agencies, making the necessary political connections.