when we say that the district attorney has prosecutorial discretion, that means a prosecutor can

by Halle Waelchi 5 min read

Prosecutorial discretion also allows prosecutors to secure the cooperation of witness defendants by allowing them to offer reduced sentences or charges in exchange for testimony against another defendant. For example, a prosecutor may offer a low-level drug dealer probation in exchange for testifying against a serious drug trafficker.

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?

May 13, 2021 · Discretion means making a choice or judgment. When a prosecutor has discretion in your criminal case, they can choose how to prosecute a case or not at all. This room for decision-making is an opening for a criminal defense attorney to help you. They can highlight factors in your favor to the prosecution, point out mistakes that make pursuing a conviction …

What is a district attorney’s responsibility for prosecutions?

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.

How much discretion can a district attorney have?

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 …

Why would a Prosecutor decide not to file charges?

Article IV of the North Carolina Constitution, which sets forth the judicial power of the State, addresses the responsibilities of district attorneys. Section 18 requires the district attorney to “advise the officers of justice in his district,” and makes the district attorney “responsible for the prosecution on behalf of the State of all criminal actions in the Superior Courts of his district.”

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

What are some of the discretion of prosecutors?

A prosecutor's power is made more potent by the breadth of discretion granted to its wielder. Prosecutorial discretion, despite the limits imposed by law, remains wide. It gives each prosecutor the option to sift through evidence, evaluate their admissibility, and assign to them evidentiary weight.Nov 25, 2019

Do prosecutors have discretion?

The answer is simple: "prosecutorial discretion." Under American law, government prosecuting attorneys have nearly absolute and unreviewable power to choose whether or not to bring criminal charges and what charges to bring.

What is prosecutorial discretion quizlet?

Prosecutorial Discretion. The decision-making power of prosecutors, based on the wide range of choices available to them, in the handling of criminal defendants, the scheduling of cases for trial, the acceptance of negotiated pleas, and so on.

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.

Why is prosecutorial discretion good?

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 is prosecutorial discretion and how does it impact the conduct of a trial?

Prosecutorial Discretion: A Power of the Prosecutor Under U.S. law, a prosecutor is allowed prosecutorial discretion, which is the power to determine whether or not to charge an accused offender and, if so, the most appropriate charge for that offender, based on evidence.

What is the decision making power of prosecutors?

Prosecutors are the most powerful officials in the American criminal justice system. The decisions they make, particularly the charging and plea-bargaining decisions, control the operation of the system and often predetermine the outcome of criminal cases.

Why do prosecutors sometimes choose not to prosecute criminal cases quizlet?

- There is sufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict. (Ch 8) Why do prosecutors sometimes choose not to prosecute criminal cases? - belief that an offense did not cause sufficient harm.

What is the PD in the US?

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.

What is a noncitizen?

The noncitizen’s or the noncitizen’s family’s service in the U.S. military; The noncitizen’s family or community ties in the United States; Circumstances of the noncitizen’s arrival in the United States and the manner of his or her entry; The noncitizen’s prior immigration history; The noncitizen’s work and education history in the United States;

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 ...

What are the duties of a district attorney?

Statutory responsibilities. G.S. 7A-61 requires the district attorney to do the following: 1 prepare the trial dockets; 2 prosecute in a timely manner all criminal actions and infractions requiring prosecution in the superior and district courts of the districtattorney’s prosecutorial district; 3 advise the officers of justice in the districtattorney’s district; 4 represent the State in juvenile cases in the superior and district courts in which the juvenile is represented by an attorney; 5 provide to the Attorney General any case files, records and additional information necessary for the Attorney General to conduct appeals to the Appellate Division for cases from the districtattorney’s prosecutorial district; and 6 devote his or her full time to the duties of his office and not engage in the private practice of law.

What is the role of a district attorney in North Carolina?

Section 18 requires the district attorney to “advise the officers of justice in his district,” and makes the district attorney “responsible for the prosecution on behalf of the State ...