who does a prosecuting attorney represent

by Dr. Emmie Weimann 9 min read

Prosecuting attorneys are lawyers employed by the government to represent the people of their jurisdictions in criminal trials. U.S. prosecutors at the county, state and federal levels work with police, victims and witnesses to bring suspected criminals to justice in courts of law.

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Full Answer

Who gets paid more a prosecutor or a defense attorney?

Prosecuting attorneys are lawyers employed by the government to represent the people of their jurisdictions in criminal trials. U.S. prosecutors at the county, state and federal levels work with police, victims and witnesses to bring suspected criminals to justice in courts of law.

What is the difference between a prosecutor and an attorney?

“The (prosecutor) is the representative not of an ordinary party to a controversy, but of a sovereignty whose obligation to govern impartially is as compelling as its obligation to govern at all; and whose interest, therefore, in a criminal prosecution is

Who does the prosecutor represent in a criminal case?

Oct 20, 2021 · Prosecuting attorneys represent local, state, or federal governments in criminal court cases. In addition to trying cases, they also interview witnesses or victims, evaluate police reports, and perform legal research to plan the prosecution of each case.

Are prosecutors elected or appointed?

May 21, 2012 · The district attorney is the prosecuting attorney and represents the state in a criminal case. This person is usually elected, and hires staff to handle the day to …

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What is the role of the prosecutors?

(a) As used in these standards, “prosecutor” means any attorney, regardless of agency, title, or full or part-time assignment, who acts as an attorney to investigate or prosecute criminal cases or who provides legal advice regarding a criminal matter to government lawyers, agents, or offices participating in the ...

What's the difference between a lawyer and a prosecutor?

Both had to pass the bar exam in their particular state and be sworn in as lawyers. But the main difference is that the prosecutor represents the interest of the state or Federal government in court, and the criminal defense lawyer works for the individual who is being charged with a crime.Apr 16, 2020

Can a prosecutor be a lawyer?

Prosecutor as a legal professional Prosecutors are typically lawyers who possess a law degree, and are recognized as legal professionals by the court in which they intend to represent society (that is, they have been admitted to the bar).

Who is the defendant and prosecutor?

Criminal defendants In a criminal trial, a defendant is a person accused (charged) of committing an offense (a crime; an act defined as punishable under criminal law). The other party to a criminal trial is usually a public prosecutor, but in some jurisdictions, private prosecutions are allowed.

What Is a Prosecution Attorney?

Prosecuting attorneys represent local, state, or federal governments in criminal court cases. In addition to trying cases, they also interview witnesses or victims, evaluate police reports, and perform legal research to plan the prosecution of each case.

What Does a Prosecutor Do?

Depending on the size of the municipality they serve, the prosecuting attorney job description can vary. In larger offices, prosecuting attorneys may be assigned to specific areas of the law, such as traffic violations or juvenile offenses. In smaller offices, they may be responsible for all aspects of criminal prosecution.

How to Become a Prosecutor

Prosecuting attorneys, like all lawyers, need to obtain bachelor's degrees, complete law school, and pass the bar exam.

Salary Information and Employment Outlook

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have a specific listing for prosecuting attorneys, it reported in May 2019 that the average annual salary for lawyers overall was $145,300. PayScale.com reported the average salary for prosecutors was $65,123 in July 2019.

What is the role of the prosecutor in a case?

The Prosecutor’s Role at Sentencing. While it’s the court’s role to impose a sentence, that sentence (a specific sentence or a range) is set by the offense that the defendant stands convicted of. Consequently, the judge will be constrained by the charges that the prosecutor has elected to bring against the defendant.

What are the responsibilities of a prosecutor?

Furthering the cause of justice is the primary role of the prosecutor, but many practical considerations influence the prosecutor’s decisions to pursue some cases, but not others. Among them are: 1 the sheer number of criminal statutes; prosecutors couldn’t possibly enforce them all and must decide which ones are most important and which violations are worthy of punishment 2 the limited number of prosecutors, courts, and prison capacity 3 the unique character of any suspected criminal incident—some witnesses are credible, but those that are not cannot support a reasonable prosecution, and 4 the need to take the individuals involved into account. For example, a prosecution might do more harm to the victim, or a victim may implore the prosecutor not to pursue the case. Whether to proceed in these situations (balancing individual justice with enforcing the law) is one of the most difficult decisions that prosecutors make.

What is the agreement between a prosecutor and a defense counsel?

In most federal and state courts, prosecutors and defense counsel have a conversation at some point about “settling this matter.” In exchange for a guilty plea (sometimes to a specific crime), the prosecutor agrees to ask for a specific sentence (in some courts, the judge is part of the bargain, agreeing in advance to impose the agreed-upon sentence). The defendant avoids the risk of ending up with more convictions and a harsher sentence; the prosecutor avoids the risk of losing the case altogether, and resolving the case removes it from the prosecutor’s busy schedule (not an insignificant factor).

What is the role of the court in imposing a sentence?

While it’s the court’s role to impose a sentence, that sentence (a specific sentence or a range) is set by the offense that the defendant stands convicted of. Consequently, the judge will be constrained by the charges that the prosecutor has elected to bring against the defendant. Even if the defendant beats some of the charges or ends up convicted of lesser offenses, the court’s power has been circumscribed to some degree by the initial charging decision.

What is a prosecutor in 2020?

Updated: Dec 30th, 2020. Prosecutors are lawyers who investigate, charge, and prosecute (take to trial) people whom they think have committed a crime. In the federal system, United States Attorneys are appointed by the President to run regional offices; they in turn hire assistant prosecutors. Prosecutors in the states are known as district ...

What are the factors that may be at work when prosecutors make charging decisions?

The American Bar Association’s Standards for Criminal Justice identify these factors that may be at work when prosecutors make charging decisions: the prosecutor’s reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty. the extent of the harm caused by the offense.

What is the primary role of a prosecutor?

Furthering the cause of justice is the primary role of the prosecutor, but many practical considerations influence the prosecutor’s decisions to pursue some cases, but not others. Among them are:

What is the job of a prosecutor?

His job is to initiate and carry out legal proceedings against a person who has been accused of a crime. On behalf of his national, regional, or local court system, he works to convict criminals or secure other forms of justice.

What is the role of the prosecutor in a crime?

When a crime has been committed, the prosecutor's office is often involved in the investigation from the start. For example, he is often responsible for contacting an investigation agency that can collect and provide pertinent case information; he typically works with police as well.

What degree do I need to become a prosecuting attorney?

In most places, a person who wants to become a prosecuting attorney has to finish high school and go on to college, earning a bachelor's degree.

How do I become a prosecutor?

An aspiring prosecutor usually has to pass a legal exam or series of exams in order to become a practicing attorney . Seeking an internship or entry-level position in a prosecutor's office may help a person get on the right track for pursuing this career.

What does a lawyer do when he is charged?

He works to convince a judge or jury that the charged party is guilty of the crime. An individual in this position may only use legal means to do this, however. For example, he may use evidence, testimony, and research to build his case. In most places, threats and coercion tactics are not allowed.

Who decides the charge for which a criminal will stand trial?

A prosecuting attorney often decides the charge for which a criminal will stand trial. A prosecuting attorney often decides the charge for which a criminal will stand trial.

Who determines whether a person will stand trial for murder?

For example, if a person has died, the prosecutor is typically responsible for determining whether the accused party will stand trial for murder, manslaughter, or some other charge. He may also decide what degree of charge the person will stand trial for.

What is a district attorney?

A district attorney typically works for a county or state government and acts as the prosecutor in criminal cases. Each state maintains a justice department responsible for criminal prosecutions. Cities, towns and counties also maintain justice departments responsible for prosecuting crimes against local and state ordinances.

Requirements for a district attorney

Here are the requirements that aspiring district attorneys need to fulfill before finding work in the field:

Top skills for district attorney

Here are the top skills that a district attorney typically needs to succeed:

Work environment for district attorneys

While much of a district attorney's job can take place in a legal office, they can also work in other locations like libraries and courtrooms.

Salary and job outlook for district attorneys

The national average salary for attorneys in the United States, including district attorneys, is currently $94,578 per year, which is a very competitive salary. However, the compensation that a district attorney receives can vary depending on their education level, experience and skills obtained throughout their career.

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The Prosecutor’S Role During Investigations

  • Prosecutors do more than file charges based on police reports of crimes that have been committed. Often, they actively participate in the investigation of past or ongoing crimes, particularly in cases involving business fraud, public corruption, and organized crime (including drug rings). For example, they may design “sting” operations, ask for sea...
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The Prosecutor’S Role in Charging Crimes

  • The prosecutor decides which crimes to charge. The most important check on this power is the requirement that the accusations be supported by “probable cause”—the legal standard that will spare a person from prosecution unless it’s more likely than not that a crime was committed and the defendant committed it. But even with this check, the prosecutor has considerable power to …
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Plea Bargaining

  • In most federal and state courts, prosecutors and defense counsel have a conversation at some point about “settling this matter.” In exchange for a guilty plea (sometimes to a specific crime), the prosecutor agrees to ask for a specific sentence (in some courts, the judge is part of the bargain, agreeing in advance to impose the agreed-upon sentence). The defendant avoids the risk of endi…
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The Prosecutor’S Role at Sentencing

  • While it’s the court’s role to impose a sentence, that sentence (a specific sentence or a range) is set by the offense that the defendant stands convicted of. Consequently, the judge will be constrained by the charges that the prosecutor has elected to bring against the defendant. Even if the defendant beats some of the charges or ends up convicted of lesser offenses, the court’s po…
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The Prosecutor’S Post-Conviction Role

  • Most defendants who are convicted of felonies appeal their convictions. They hire counsel or obtain counsel from the state; and the appellate division of the prosecutors’ offices handles the case for the government, arguing that the conviction and sentence should be upheld on appeal. Occasionally, defendants file writs of habeas corpus, in which they allege incompetence of their …
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What Restrains The Prosecutor’S Discretion?

  • Not much, but here’s a run-down of how abusive prosecutors can be brought to heel: 1. When prosecutors violate the Constitution. Courtesy of our system of checks and balances, the prosecution (a distinct arm of government from the courts) does not answer to a judge. Prosecutors do, however, answer to the state and federal constitutions, which makes them subj…
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Questions For Your Attorney

  1. I think the prosecutor has overcharged my case. How can we argue that in court? What do we have to prove?
  2. Does a prosecutor have to bring charges when the victim demands it? What if the victim objects to charges being filed—will this end the matter?
  3. I think the result in my case was unjust. How can we raise that on appeal?
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