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Which type of lawyer helps more people Prosecutors or DAs?
I have been trying to figure this out for a long time, the reason I want to become a lawyer is to help people, I don't know which one would help the most people and I know it is alot of schooling for either of these but I am willing to do it as long as I am able to help thouhs who need it.
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Kim’s Answer
Amity,
There are lots of ways to help people in law. As Jaclyn noted, a DA is simply the person in charge of all the prosecutors. As such, they will have more of a managerial role, although sometimes they prosecute cases. Often times you will hear the term "ADA" - which is Assistant District Attorney, and is often used interchangeably with Prosecutor.
You can also help people as a criminal defense attorney. Not everyone charged with a crime is guilty, and, even those who are deserve the best representation so they get a chance at probation, deferred adjudication, shorter sentences, etc.
You can also help people in labor law - helping employees who have been discriminated against, or, helping employers to defend against discrimination charges.
And in immigration law. A very emotional field, where convictions of certain offenses result in deportations.
And in Environmental Law, and in Juvenile Law, and Family Law, such as when Child Protective Services is trying to take a child from a family, what's in the best interest of the child?
And the list goes on.
The key thing is to get your 4 year degree, get to law school, and, once there, find summer internships to help you explore your areas of interest. You don't need to decide what you want to do after law school just yet!
There are lots of ways to help people in law. As Jaclyn noted, a DA is simply the person in charge of all the prosecutors. As such, they will have more of a managerial role, although sometimes they prosecute cases. Often times you will hear the term "ADA" - which is Assistant District Attorney, and is often used interchangeably with Prosecutor.
You can also help people as a criminal defense attorney. Not everyone charged with a crime is guilty, and, even those who are deserve the best representation so they get a chance at probation, deferred adjudication, shorter sentences, etc.
You can also help people in labor law - helping employees who have been discriminated against, or, helping employers to defend against discrimination charges.
And in immigration law. A very emotional field, where convictions of certain offenses result in deportations.
And in Environmental Law, and in Juvenile Law, and Family Law, such as when Child Protective Services is trying to take a child from a family, what's in the best interest of the child?
And the list goes on.
The key thing is to get your 4 year degree, get to law school, and, once there, find summer internships to help you explore your areas of interest. You don't need to decide what you want to do after law school just yet!
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Amity
Updated
Jaclyn’s Answer
Hi Amity,
I would say District Attorneys have more power as a lead prosecutor but probably interact with the people less on a daily basis. They are the ones that lead a group of prosecutors. To become a DA you will highly likely need to start out as a prosecutor. That I would say is like a stepping stone to become a DA if you choose to do so. Now which has the greater impact, it depends on your perspective. If you want to make direct impact in people's lives I would say prosecutor because you work more directly with victims and perpetrators. If you want to make a broader impact and maybe have a say in the cases going to trial that is a DA. Either way you need to start out as a entry level prosecutor and will learn about the different career paths as you gain experience.
Best,
Jaclyn
I would say District Attorneys have more power as a lead prosecutor but probably interact with the people less on a daily basis. They are the ones that lead a group of prosecutors. To become a DA you will highly likely need to start out as a prosecutor. That I would say is like a stepping stone to become a DA if you choose to do so. Now which has the greater impact, it depends on your perspective. If you want to make direct impact in people's lives I would say prosecutor because you work more directly with victims and perpetrators. If you want to make a broader impact and maybe have a say in the cases going to trial that is a DA. Either way you need to start out as a entry level prosecutor and will learn about the different career paths as you gain experience.
Best,
Jaclyn
Jaclyn, thank you!
Amity
Updated
David’s Answer
This is a complicated question. A prosecutor (district attorney or assistant district attorney) represents the state and/or the victim of a crime; their job is to act as the lawyer for the victim and ensure the best outcome possible. This is an important part of our justice system, as ensuring a victim sees justice is one of the defining principles of the United States. A defense attorney represents the suspect or the accused in a crime. It is both attorney's jobs to ensure that their clients civil rights aren't violated and that they receive a fair trial.
Sometimes this means you'll be representing a person who you know is guilty and who most definitely victimized someone. Sometimes this means you'll be representing someone who is technically a victim but is most definitely not a good person, or you'll be attempting to seek a conviction for a person that is technically guilty but not morally so.
Sometimes this means you'll be representing a person who you know is guilty and who most definitely victimized someone. Sometimes this means you'll be representing someone who is technically a victim but is most definitely not a good person, or you'll be attempting to seek a conviction for a person that is technically guilty but not morally so.
Your advice was so helpful!
Amity
Updated
Terri’s Answer
It’s wonderful that you want to pursue a legal career that allows you to help people. That’s what most lawyers do every day! At most law schools, you will have a set of courses during your first year that allow you to explore a variety of areas, including criminal law. You might even find a different area that sparks your interest. But if you continue to focus on criminal law, either prosecution or defense can be a rewarding law career, as can many other areas. And you will have the opportunity during law school to meet attorneys who work in the areas and maybe even work alongside those attorneys. Those experiences will help you decide what area of law and which side makes you feel most gratified in your work life. The reality is that any of these jobs allows you to help people, but different people feel more connection to different ways of helping people. The best way to find your favorite way of helping others as a lawyer is to use the opportunity in law school to test as many areas as possible!
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Amity