StevenHintz received his bachelor's degree in business management from San Diego State University in 1968 and graduated from U.C. Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law in 1971. After passing the California Bar, he went on active duty with the U.S. Navy. As a lieutenant serving in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, he prosecuted and defended military personnel accused of crimes under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Hintz left military service in April 1975 and became a deputy district attorney in Ventura County, where he served as a criminal trial prosecutor and unit supervisor until 1982. During that time, Hintz was co-editor and co-author of Arson Investigation and Prosecution: CDAA and AEtna, published by the California District Attorneys Association. He served on the board of the Public Employees Association from 1979-1982 and was president of the Deputy District Attorneys Association in 1981 and 1982. As a naval officer and deputy district attorney, he completed more than 60 jury trials, including four homicides, and over 100 court trials.
