when we say that the district attorney has prosecutorial discretion

by Dr. Violette Lemke III 10 min read

Legally, the local district attorney’s office determines the charging and plea-bargaining decisions. Here, prosecutorial discretion is quite broad, and charges must possess probable cause. Although judges do review plea bargains, in practice, judges rarely reject them.

Prosecutorial discretion is when a prosecutor has the power to decide whether or not to charge a person for a crime, and which criminal charges to file.Nov 12, 2019

Full Answer

What is prosecutorial discretion?

Jan 10, 2019 · Statutory responsibilities. G.S. 7A-61 requires the district attorney to do the following: prepare the trial dockets; prosecute in a timely manner all criminal actions and infractions requiring prosecution in the superior and district courts of the districtattorney’s prosecutorial district; advise the officers of justice in the ...

How much discretion can a district attorney have?

Feb 17, 2022 · Democratic candidate for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg speaks to the press after casting his ballot in the New York City election. ...

Should prosecutors control the election of the local and state attorneys?

Nov 12, 2019 · Prosecutorial discretion is when a prosecutor has the power to decide whether or not to charge a person for a crime, and which criminal charges to file. This is a rather broad power that also gives prosecutors the authority to enter into plea bargains with a defendant, which can result in the defendant pleading guilty to a lesser charge or receiving a lesser sentence for …

What is a district attorney’s responsibility for prosecutions?

Jan 20, 2022 · Manhattan District Attorney Bragg made a virtual appearance with New York University School of Law. The scene where a baby was shot at in the Bronx on Jan. 19, 2022. “No prosecutor is enforcing ...

What is meant by prosecutorial discretion?

Prosecutorial Discretion (PD) is the longstanding authority of an agency charged with enforcing the law to decide where to focus its resources and whether or how to enforce, or not to enforce, the law against an individual.Dec 9, 2021

Why do prosecutors have discretion?

There is no doubt that prosecutorial discretion is a necessary and important part of our system of justice — it allocates sparse prosecutorial resources, provides the basis for plea-bargaining and allows for leniency and mercy in a criminal justice system that is frequently harsh and impersonal.

Where does prosecutorial discretion come from?

The general acceptance of prosecutorial discretion in the United States is closely linked to our adversarial system of justice. The adversarial principle is generally taken to mean that judges in American courts are not commissioned to investigate cases, determine the truth, and provide justice.

What are some things that prosecutors have the discretion to do?

Prosecuting attorneys enjoy broader discretion in making decisions that influence criminal case outcomes than any other actors in the American justice system. They make pivotal decisions throughout the life of a case—from determining whether to file charges, to crafting plea offers and recommending sentences.

Is prosecutorial discretion good or bad?

Why Good Prosecutors Use Their Discretion A sensible prosecutor will use discretion because: The prosecution has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If there's not enough evidence, the case may be withdrawn, or other charges could be brought. It can make the judicial system more efficient.May 13, 2021

How do you pronounce prosecutorial discretion?

0:071:20What does prosecutorial discretion mean? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProsecutorial discretion is a process by which the you. Side not to pursue deportation chargesMoreProsecutorial discretion is a process by which the you. Side not to pursue deportation charges against an individual.

What does discretion mean in criminal justice?

Discretion is the power of officials to act according to the dictates of their own judgment and conscience. Discretion is abused when the judicial action is arbitrary, fanciful, or unreasonable. If the plaintiff or the defendant thinks that the trial court judge has abused the discretion, the party can appeal the case.

What is judicial discretion and what is its purpose?

Judicial discretion refers to a judge's power to make a decision based on his or her individualized evaluation, guided by the principles of law. Judicial discretion gives courts immense power which is exercised when legislature allows for it.

What does research say about the role of bias in prosecutorial discretion in drug cases?

The research showed that federal prosecutors declined to prosecute in about one quarter of all cases across the 10 years of data but this percentage varied by type of offense. Violent and drug cases were most likely to be declined for prosecution while immigration offenses had the highest likelihood to be prosecuted.Apr 1, 2019

Which of the following is an example of prosecutorial discretion?

Prosecutors exercise the most discretion in three areas of decision making: the decision to file charges, the decision to dismiss charges, and plea bargaining.

What are the benefits of judicial and prosecutorial discretion?

There are ample benefits to prosecutorial discretion. This power allows the prosecutor to mitigate the time and expense of a trial through expedient decision-making and plea bargaining. In the case of a plea bargain, the accused offender spends less time sitting in jail awaiting the necessary preparations for trial.

Why are district attorneys so powerful?

Power to Negotiate Plea Deals The DA has immense power in influencing an individual's decision to enter into a plea deal or to take their case to trial. More than 90 percent of all criminal cases end in a plea deal. The district attorney has the power to offer a sentence to the individual charged with a crime.

Why is it important to have a prosecutorial discretion?

Probably one of the biggest advantages of allowing prosecutorial discretion is that it promotes judicial economy. There's only so much time available on a court's calendar, so a prosecutor's ability to decide when to charge a defendant as well as their ability to plea bargain with a defendant allows prosecutors to ease the burden not only on themselves but also on courts and judges.

What is the power of a prosecutor?

Prosecutorial discretion is when a prosecutor has the power to decide whether or not to charge a person for a crime, and which criminal charges to file. This is a rather broad power that also gives prosecutors the authority to enter into plea bargains with a defendant, which can result in the defendant pleading guilty to a lesser charge ...