THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406240241
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Medium
DATELINE: 940626 LENGTH:
Out of court, Spencer is a bundle of energy who races from one place to the next, returning phone calls when she can, always moving and talking at a fast pace.
{REST} In court, the lively 38-year-old seeks sentences that are fair.
``If you break into someone's home, you're going to see some jail time,'' Spencer said.
But, she added, ``Not everyone is deserving of the maximum sentence. I try to take the circumstances of each case into consideration.
``If a person is capable of being rehabilitated, that's also taken into consideration.''
Before coming to Suffolk, Spencer worked as an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Chesapeake for almost nine years.
``I needed the change,'' she said of her recent move to Suffolk. ``It's like changing furniture around. It feels good to be doing something new, with new faces, new bosses and new judges.
``And Suffolk is just like what Chesapeake used to be like eight years ago. It's a small but growing town.''
Name: Jo Anne Spencer.
Hometown: Fort Mitchell, Va.
Birthdate: April 20, 1956.
Nickname: Jo or Spencer.
Occupation: Attorney.
Marital status: Single.
Children: None.
Favorite movies: ``Dances With Wolves,'' ``Out of Africa,'' ``I Remember Mama'' and ``My Cousin Vinny.''
Favorite magazines: ``Vanity Fair'' and ``Traditional Home.''
A book you wish everyone would read, why? The Bible. For moral and spiritual development.
Favorite night out on the town: Dancing and plays.
Favorite bar or restaurant: LaGalleria.
Favorite food and drink: Pasta and frozen toasted almond, an ice cream drink.
Few people know . . . that I lead a very low-keyed life.
What's the best thing about yourself? My sense of humor.
Worst habit: Smoking.
First thing in the morning: I hug my dog hello.
Pets: Gismo, my dog and best K-9 buddy.
Hobbies: Travel and reading.
Ideal vacation: Two weeks in the islands.
Pet peeve: People who drive slow in the lefthand lane.
First job: Working in tobacco.
Worst job: Waitressing.
What achievements are you most proud of? My career, my family and friends.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``The Commonwealth Rests.''
{KEYWORDS} PROFILE
by CNB