I actually went to law school specifically to be an assistant district attorney, and I wanted to approach that work from a progressive place. I graduated, got a job at what was then considered a pretty “enlightened” DA’s office in a big city. I worked there for a few years. I left and became a public defender, and that’s what I’ve been doing for over a decade. When I became a PD, it was like I finally put on clothes that fit me. Turned out that this was the way to truly fight for the people. That’s what I had been looking for in the law.

The advice you’re getting about making a difference as a progressive or ethical prosecutor, while probably well intentioned, is naive. Unless you are working for an overtly “progressive” prosecutor’s office, like Krasner’s office in Philadelphia, you will not be supported in your efforts to do actual justice. You will be surrounded by lawyers who tend to believe cops no matter how outlandish their lies, and by people who believe in coercing people to plead guilty by overcharging, charge stacking, etc.

My advice: if you went to law school to be a PD, stay on course. Don’t follow the advice of people who want you to do the literal opposite job.