Prosecutor

The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries adopting the common law adversarial system or the civil law inquisitorial system. The prosecution is the legal party responsible for presenting the case against an individual suspected of breaking the law in a criminal trial.

Common law countries

Prosecutors are typically lawyers who possess a university degree in law, are recognized as legal professionals by the court in which they intend to represent the state, and, in countries where the distinction is made, are barristers or advocates. They usually only become involved in a criminal case once charges need to be laid. They are typically employed by an office of the government with safeguards in place to ensure such an office can successfully pursue the prosecution of government officials. Often multiple offices exist in a single country due to the various legal jurisdictions that exist.

Related Topics:
Lawyer - University degree - Barrister - Advocate - Jurisdiction

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In England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and Canada the director of any such office is typically known as the Director of Public Prosecutions and is appointed (as opposed to elected).

Related Topics:
England and Wales - Northern Ireland - Australia - Canada - Director of Public Prosecutions

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In the United States the director of any such offices may be known by any of several names depending on the legal jurisdiction (e.g. County Attorney, County Prosecutor, State Attorney, State Prosecutor, Commonwealth's Attorney, District Attorney, City Attorney, City Prosecutor or U.S. Attorney) and may be either appointed or elected.

Related Topics:
United States - County Attorney - State Attorney - Commonwealth's Attorney

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Though Scotland has a common law system (see Scots law), its heritage in civil law leads to a situation more reminiscient of a civil law jurisdiction. Here all prosecutions are carried out by Procurators Fiscal on behalf of the Lord Advocate, and, in theory, they can direct investigations by the police. In very serious cases a Procurator Fiscal, Advocate Depute or even the Lord Advocate may take charge of a police investigation. It is at the discretion of the Procurator Fiscal or Lord Advocate to take a prosecution to court and to decide on whether to prosecute it under solemn procedure or summary procedure. All prosecutions are handled within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Related Topics:
Scotland - Common law - Scots law - Civil law - Jurisdiction - Procurators Fiscal - Lord Advocate - Police - Advocate Depute - Solemn procedure - Summary procedure - Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

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Being backed by the power of the state, prosecutors are usually subject to special professional responsibility rules in addition to those binding all lawyers as a whole. For example, as "ministers of justice," American prosecutors are supposed to act in good faith, and can be disbarred for deliberately hiding evidence that exonerates the defendant.

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