We sit down with Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay to unpack what prosecutors really do, how he thinks about fairness, and why leadership in the justice system starts with ethics. We also get candid stories about jury trials, campaigning for an elected role, and the surprising moments when accountability helps people change.

• defining the DA’s role as courtroom advocate and elected prosecutor
• becoming the youngest elected district attorney in Kansas history
• growing up on debate and learning what TV gets wrong about the law
• why “winning” arguments at home can cost you more
• seeing violent crime up close while still believing in the community
• focusing on repeat offenders and accountability to reduce harm
• managing trials, COVID disruptions, and a large prosecution team
• jury duty stories from both sides of the courtroom
• what campaigning teaches about leadership and building a team
• laws he would change, including jury unanimity and prosecutor guidance
• rapid fire Topeka favorites and where to find him locally and online
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0:00 - Cold Open And Sponsor Message
0:41 - Meeting Shawnee County’s District Attorney
2:50. -What A DA Actually Does
4:40. -Becoming Kansas’ Youngest DA
8:14. -From Bullying To Debate
10:48 -Marriage Advice From A Prosecutor
14:52 - What Crime Looks Like Up Close
19:04 - Repeat Offenders And Smarter Penalties
21:32 - Trials Workload And The COVID Backlog
22:59 - Jury Duty Tips And Wild Stories
27:39 - Prosecutors Ethics And Dropping Charges
30:07 - Running For DA Door To Door
35:07 - Laws He Would Change Today
42:05 - The Pressure And Reward Of Justice
44:00 - Rapid Fire Topeka Favorites
50:31 - Where To Find Him And Redemption
53:43 - Final Thoughts And Thanks
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