Final answer:
The role of prosecutors and public defenders in the justice system is highly influential, often subject to public opinion, and typically requires a lot of discretion. Their responsibilities, representations in media, and the pressure they often face are key aspects of their professions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prosecutors play a crucial role in the justice process, and they often derive their responsibilities from their relationship with other actors in the system and their designation to specific neighborhoods through community prosecution. These roles make them particularly sensitive to public opinion, especially in their capacity as elected officials. Depictions of prosecutors in media, however, can often be inaccurate or overly simplified.
Public defenders, on the other hand, are attorneys employed full-time by the government to represent indigents. They are often lauded as specialists in criminal law due to their focused career path and commitment to their public service role. Nonetheless, research does not necessary show major differences in outcomes between public defenders, private attorneys, contract counsel, and assigned counsel.
Finally, the importance of prosecutor's discretion cannot be overstated, as it determines how charges will be made and how cases will proceed in court. This is particularly true in high-profile cases where public sentiment and media coverage can place significant pressure on the prosecutor.
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