what the district attorney

In the United States, a district attorney (DA), state's attorney, prosecuting attorney, commonwealth

's attorney, or state attorney is the chief prosecutor and/or chief law enforcement officer representing a U.S. state in a local government area, typically a county or a group of counties. The exact name and scope of the office varies by state.

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What is the job description of a district attorney?

Feb 12, 2021 · What is a District Attorney? The powers and responsibilities of district attorneys can vary state-to-state. This post focuses on district attorneys in North Carolina and in Durham.

What role does the district attorney perform?

Tag Archives: district attorney. Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Blog, Uncategorized. The Problem With Prosecutorial Misconduct. August 7, 2017 thomaslaw Leave a comment. Noura Jackson,29, was released Sunday, after being wrongly convicted of murder by a Tennessee court. Noura Jackson, who is now 29, has spent more than a decade behind bars for ...

What exactly does a district attorney do?

What is it like to be a district attorney?

What is a District Attorney?

The powers and responsibilities of district attorneys can vary state-to-state. This post focuses on district attorneys in North Carolina and in Durham.

What do prosecutors do?

Prosecutors represent the State when someone is accused of committing a crime. They decide whether to bring the criminal charges filed by police to court. It’s then their job to prove to a judge or jury that the crime occurred and that the person accused of committing the crime (the defendant) did it.

How do prosecutors decide what charges to pursue?

In deciding what charges should move forward in court, prosecutors at the Durham DA’s Office consider the strength of the evidence, the nature of the offenses, public safety, the wishes of any victims, and whether the matter can be addressed through means other than a criminal conviction — for example with a diversion program or community service.

What are the duties of a district attorney in Louisiana?

The 22nd Judicial District, for example, consists of St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. Each district has an elected District Attorney. The District Attorney’s Office prosecutes crimes against state laws ...

Who prosecutes crimes against state laws?

The District Attorney’s Office prosecutes crimes against state laws and local ordinances and is staffed by attorneys who present the state’s evidence to a judge or jury for a determination of guilt or innocence.

What is a plea bargain in criminal law?

A plea bargain is when the state, through its prosecutor, agrees to charge the defendant with a lesser crime carrying less penalty in exchange for a waiver of the defendant’s right to a trial. The prosecutor must present the plea agreement to the judge, who will review the new charges with the defendant and make certain he understands the agreement.

What is the discretion of a prosecutor?

Prosecutors are given wide discretion over whether to prosecute an offender. Even if the evidence seems solid in the grand jury proceedings, there is always the possibility that the evidence will not be enough to move forward; witnesses disappear; or evidence reveals that another perpetrator was actually responsible. Criminal charges stemming from a police investigation, as opposed to a grand jury, often present a prosecutor with the difficult choice of accepting the charges or declining to prosecute. Citizen complaints alleging criminal activity are sometimes declined due to a lack of evidence.

What happens when a jury is empaneled?

Once the jury is empaneled, the prosecutor presents the jury with an opening statement summarizing the case. The state presents its evidence first, followed by the defense. Throughout the trial, the prosecutor must make appropriate objections against evidence possibly inadmissible under the rules of evidence.

What is the role of a prosecutor in a criminal case?

Conduct Trials. If a criminal case goes to trial, the prosecutor must first work with the defense attorney to select a jury to hear the case. The prosecutor must investigate the background of jurors for potential bias and may excuse any candidate who likely cannot render an impartial verdict.

What is a grand jury investigation?

Conduct a Grand Jury Investigation. The prosecution of a crime begins well before the perpetrator is ever charged. A grand jury is convened prior to the issuance of an indictment.