how to find the prosecuting attorney for.past case

Some basic research can help you find an attorney whose track record indicates he may be able to successfully represent you in court. Step 1 Go to your local criminal courthouse and ask for a listing of recent cases in which the attorney has represented a defendant.

Full Answer

How do I meet with the prosecutor before court?

When they call your name in court announce pre-trial/that you want to speak with the prosecutor. If you want to try to meet with the prosecutor before the court date call the prosecutor's office, ask to speak with the prosecutor, and setup an appointment. Be warned, the prosecutor may not want to meet with you before the court date...

What do prosecutors look at when reviewing past criminal records?

Prosecutors can look at all the circumstances of a case, including the suspect's past criminal record, in deciding whether and what to charge.

How does a Prosecutor decide not to pursue a case?

In any criminal investigation, a prosecutor chooses which charge or charges to file or seek from a grand jury. A prosecutor also has the discretion to refrain from filing any charges at all. A prosecutor may choose not to pursue a criminal case for several reasons. Political pressure.

How do I find out if a lawyer is representing a defendant?

Go to your local criminal courthouse and ask for a listing of recent cases in which the attorney has represented a defendant. While many jurisdictions have case records online, that is not the case in every state or municipality. File an open records request with the public defender's office or local court.

How do I find old court records online?

To obtain access to those records, researchers must contact the appropriate federal court. Online access to case and docket information is provided for a fee by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts through PACER. The court may refer you to a Federal Records Center to obtain copies.

What does former prosecutor mean?

Working to Your Advantage. A former prosecutor will have tried cases on both sides of the courtroom, giving the lawyer further understanding of the trial process. He or she will be familiar with how the prosecution gathers related evidence, decides the charges to file, and builds their case to go trial.

Why do prosecutors sometimes choose not to prosecute criminal cases?

Prosecutors may decline to press charges because they think it unlikely that a conviction will result. No matter what the prosecutor's personal feelings about the case, the prosecutor needs legally admissible evidence sufficient to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

How do you write a letter to the prosecutor?

The address should include the prosecutor's organization, street address, city, state and ZIP code, one under the other. Begin your letter with a suitable greeting. To address a prosecutor, use "Dear Mr." or "Dear Ms." followed by the prosecutor's last name.

Is prosecutor higher than lawyer?

The prosecutor works to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt while the defense attorney attempts to create reasonable doubt so that their client is deemed innocent. If the jury says that an individual is guilty, the prosecutor and defense attorneys both help with sentencing.

Can a prosecutor defend someone?

Factual guilt is what the defendant actually did and legal guilt is what a prosecutor can prove against the defendant. No matter what crime the defendant did, he is not legally guilty until the prosecutor proves enough evidence to persuade a judge to convict the defendant.

Is a witness statement enough to convict?

What is reassuring for defendants is that whilst a signed statement from a complainant is enough for a charge, it is not necessarily enough to secure a conviction. The complainant must be able to convince the jury or magistrates that the defendant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Can a prosecutor drop a case?

While it might not hurt to let the prosecutor know how you feel, the prosecutor cannot dismiss the charges without additional justification. A prosecutor can only drop charges with the approval of the judge. The judge will require more than the victim's wishes to allow the prosecutor to dismiss criminal charges.

Can police decide not to prosecute?

If the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or police decide not to charge a suspect then he will have no further action taken against him. A decision not to charge is sometimes called a decision not to prosecute or taking no further action ('NFA').

What does a judge look for in a character letter?

The goal of a character letter is to cast the defendant in the most favorable light possible. A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things.

Can you write a letter to a judge?

Writing a letter to the judge in a legal case can indeed influence the outcome of a case. The letter can offer the judge background information that will help him or her make the best possible decision and, in some cases, such letters can help victims and other affected parties make their voices heard.

How do you write a letter to a judge to drop charges?

sample letter to judge to drop charges I'm writing this letter to drop [name of the offender], my ex-husband charges. In the above-named case before this honorable court, I was the complainant and victim, and through this letter, I would like to request that the charges against [name of the offender] be dismissed.

Cases

Circuit Court - Family Division The Circuit Court – Family Division are those cases where the Prosecuting Attorney is charged with the responsibility of bringing cases of child neglect or abuse to the court. In, addition, the Prosecuting Attorney handles cases of juvenile delinquency and involuntary mental admissions (in Probate Court).

Duties

Crime Victim Assistance Most crime victims experience physical suffering, financial loss, and emotional distress. Physical injuries occur in nearly one-third of all violent crimes. In 1985, the Michigan Crime Victims Rights Act mandated comprehensive rights for all victims.

What is the Prosecutor's decision?

The Prosecutor's Decision: Using the Police Report. Typically, prosecutors base their initial charging decisions on the documents sent to them by the arresting police officers (usually called police or arrest reports ).

What is an arrest report?

Arrest reports summarize the events leading up to arrests and provide numerous other details, such as dates, time, location, weather conditions, and witnesses' names and addresses. Arrest reports are almost always one-sided.

Why do prosecutor files shoplifting charges?

For example, a prosecutor may file charges on every shoplifting case, no matter how weak, to curry favor with local store owners who want to get the word out that shoplifters will be prosecuted. For similar reasons, a prosecutor may pursue otherwise weak prostitution charges to avoid alienating powerful civic groups.

Can a police officer file charges based on probable cause?

Police officers usually make arrests based only on whether they have good reason ( probable cause) to believe a crime has been committed. By contrast, prosecutors can file formal charges only if they believe that they can prove a suspect guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutors can also take a broader perspective.

Can a prosecutor file charges against a suspect?

Prosecutors can file charges on all crimes for which the police arrested a suspect, can file charges that are more or less severe than the charges leveled by the police, or can decide not to file any charges at all. ( U.S. v. Batchelder, U.S. Sup. Ct. 1979.)

Step 1

Go to your local criminal courthouse and ask for a listing of recent cases in which the attorney has represented a defendant. While many jurisdictions have case records online, that is not the case in every state or municipality.

Step 2

File an open records request with the public defender's office or local court. If the attorney is a public defender, then his office has a duty to release information regarding every case he has defended while working there and even has to release performance reviews.

Step 3

Call the local bar association and ask for the any records on file related to your attorney. The bar association will have information on disciplinary actions and complaints filed by prior clients.

How to get a plea without jail time?

Doing these before your court date may help you get a plea without jail time.

Can you talk to a prosecutor before a court date?

You most likely won't be able to talk to a prosecutor before your court date, but if you want to try, you can go over to recorders court during an afternoon and to to the Solicitor's office on the second floor and ask to speak with the solicitor about your case...

Crimes Against a Person

Find his/her court cases that concern offences against another person such as Homicide, Manslaughter, Negligent/Vehicular Homicide, Assault, Battery, Criminal Negligence, False Imprisonment, Kidnapping, Mayhem, Robbery, and Sexual Assault, etc.

Court Case Records

View court records about any available court case with certain information such as case number, defendants details, case summary and type, court date, court type, filing dates, discharge or disposition records, some court filings data, and other records.

Felony Cases

Find his/her court cases that concern violent felonies such as homicide, aggravated battery, manslaughter, arson, burglary, fraud, manufacture of drugs, grand larceny, kidnapping, firearms violations, rape, child abuse, parole violation, assault on an officer, restraining order violation, etc.

Bankruptcies

Find common information and court case records related to various bankruptcy proceedings. Bankruptcy case types include Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 variations. Also find information on foreclosure and other related court proceedings.

Liens

Locate lien information and related court records, where available, which would include case number, date filed, filing information, assets, debts, lien amounts and types, as well as a case disposition among other available details.

Traffic Court Cases

Find his/her court cases that concern minor and major violations of various traffic laws, such as Driving Under Influence, Speeding, Aggressive Driving, Hit & Run, and many more. We search through these type of records to compile report on all of the person's citations and driving offences.

Arrests & Warrants

Find his/her court cases that concern various incidents where law enforcement issued a criminal complaint, court summons, or arrested the individual due to outstanding criminal or civil warrants/attachments.

Why can't a prosecutor pursue a criminal case?

A prosecutor may choose not to pursue a criminal case for several reasons. Political pressure. Prosecutors are attorneys employed or contracted by federal, state, and local governments to prosecute suspected criminal offenders on behalf of the community they represent.

What is the concept of prosecutorial discretion?

In any criminal investigation, a prosecutor chooses which charge or charges to file or seek from a grand jury. A prosecutor also has the discretion to refrain from filing any charges at all.

Why do prosecutors face political pressure?

Because the role of top prosecutor is an elected position in many juris dictions, prosecutors may face political pressure to prosecute or refrain from prosecuting a person suspected of committing a crime. Limited resources.

What happens if a prosecutor decides not to pursue a criminal case?

Alternatives Available to a Victim. In many jurisdictions where a prosecutor decides not to pursue a criminal case, the victim will have little recourse. Public pressure, aided by social media, may cause a prosecutor to reconsider the decision not to pursue a criminal case.

Why do prosecutor decline to press charges?

Prosecutors may decline to press charges because they think it unlikely that a conviction will result. No matter what the prosecutor's personal feelings about the case, the prosecutor needs legally admissible evidence sufficient to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

What are the duties of a prosecutor?

Prosecutors must carry out their duties to the public they represent , but like most public agencies and private businesses, resources are finite. A prosecutor may decide to make prosecution of certain offenses a priority, while offenses that are deemed lower priority might not be as vigorously pursued.

What is a writ of mandamus?

This approach involves using a legal tool called a "writ of mandamus.". Usable when a public official fails to take official action, a private person may seek this writ, which asks for a court order directing an official to perform a duty that the official is under a legal obligation to perform. A writ of mandamus, however, is not available in most ...