why it is important to consult the prosecuting attorney in drug cases

by Prof. Norris Emmerich 9 min read

Because these public attorneys focus their energies on prosecuting criminal cases, they are generally very experienced. Therefore it is extremely important for a drunk-driving defendant to consult an attorney who has experience defending people charged with drunk driving.

Full Answer

Why is the prosecutor important?

Prosecutors are the gatekeepers of the criminal legal system. They decide whether to prosecute and what to charge. Their harsh and discriminatory practices have fueled a vast expansion of incarceration as the answer to societal ills over the last several decades.

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

The prosecution is the legal party responsible for presenting the case in a criminal trial against an individual accused of breaking the law. Typically, the prosecutor represents the state or the government in the case brought against the accused person.

What is the role of the prosecutor in regard to investigating violent crimes?

After visiting the crime scene, the prosecutor usually goes to the police precinct to continue work on the investigation, including interviewing witnesses, drafting search warrants, issuing subpoenas, authorizing the arrest, preparing charges, and providing other legal advice.

What are the four roles of the prosecution?

What are the four distinct roles of prosecutors? Trial counsel for the police, house counsel for the police, representative of the court, and elected official.

What is the difference between prosecutor and attorney?

As nouns the difference between attorney and prosecutor is that attorney is (us) a lawyer; one who advises or represents others in legal matters as a profession while prosecutor is a lawyer who decides whether to charge a person with a crime and tries to prove in court that the person is guilty.

Why are prosecutors so powerful?

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.

What is the most important factor in deciding whether to prosecute?

The most important factor in deciding whether to prosecute is: if there is sufficient evidence for conviction.

What is the role of the prosecutor in a sentencing hearing?

The role of the prosecutor in sentencing The prosecutor has an important responsibility to ensure fairness both to the defendant and the victim regarding the acceptability of pleas and assistance to the court at sentence.Sep 10, 2019

Are prosecutors involved in investigating?

A prosecutor leads investigations and decides which inquiries the police should make. The aim of the investigation is to identify a suspect and to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to file a prosecution.

What does it mean to prosecute a case?

1 : the act of carrying on a legal action against a person accused of a crime in court. 2 : the lawyers in a criminal case trying to prove that the accused person is guilty The prosecution will try to prove it was murder. prosecution. noun. pros·​e·​cu·​tion | \ ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən \

What are the rules of prosecutors?

Prosecutors shall, in accordance with the law, perform their duties fairly, consistently and expeditiously, and respect and protect human dignity and uphold human rights, thus contributing to ensuring due process and the smooth functioning of the criminal justice system.

What is an attorney called?

A lawyer (also called attorney, counsel, or counselor) is a licensed professional who advises and represents others in legal matters. Today's lawyer can be young or old, male or female. Nearly one-third of all lawyers are under thirty-five years old.Sep 10, 2019

What is the role of a prosecuting attorney?

and defend, on behalf of the state or county, all actions or proceedings, civil or criminal, in which the state or county is interested or is a party.". In most of these states the jurisdiction of the prosecuting attorney.

What is the duty of a prosecuting attorney in Indiana?

not only with the health of persons but also with that of live stock. In at least four states the prosecuting attorney is charged with the. duty to prosecute any person who practices as a veterinarian without. a license,70 and in Indiana it is his duty to aid the state and county.

What does an attorney have to attend to?

attorney must attend to are the classification of eggs, the adulteration. of cider vinegar, unclean bakeries, the apple marketing act, the laws. regulating the sale of oleomargarine, laws concerning the standard. weight and sale of bread, and the pollution of water.48 In several.

What is the role of a prosecutor?

A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government and who is responsible for developing and presenting the government’s case against a criminal defendant. Prosecutors may be called county attorneys, city attorneys, district attorneys or states’ attorneys. Some jurisdictions may even have experienced police officers act as prosecutors in drunk-driving cases. The prosecutor is the opponent or “adversary” of the criminal defendant and his or her attorney; the two sides go head-to-head against each other in court.

How does a prosecutor decide if a case is drunk driving?

A prosecutor usually becomes involved in a drunk-driving case through a referral from the police who have investigated, arrested, searched and processed an alleged offender. In making the decision whether to go forward with a case, the prosecutor usually considers three things: whether the case is legally sound, whether it can be proved and the relevant policy considerations. If the prosecutor exercises his or her prosecutorial discretion by deciding not to go forward with a case, it will usually be over.

How to contact Petersen Criminal Defense Law?

In Nebraska contact Petersen Criminal Defense Law 24 hours a day at 402-509-8070 to discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Who is the burden of proof in a criminal case?

The burden of proof in a criminal case lies with the State. In the U.S. an accused is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This means that the State, through the prosecuting attorney, must prove each and every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant, on the other hand, is not required to prove, or do, anything. The defendant does not even have to present a defense — and, in fact, sometimes not presenting a defense is actually the best defense.

What is the goal of a prosecutor?

The prosecutor’s goal is to enforce the laws by convicting offenders and ensuring they are sentenced to certain penalties. The judge is supposed to serve as a neutral decision-maker. The defense attorney is the individual who protects the rights of the defendant. Under United States law, all defendants have important rights, including:

Why do defense attorneys work?

They work to ensure that courts do not wrongfully convict defendants or impose excessive sentences for convictions. However, an attorney does a lot before the case ends.

What are the rights of a defendant?

Under United States law, all defendants have important rights, including: 1 The right against unreasonable searches and seizures 2 The right to remain silent 3 The right to reasonable bail 4 The right against double jeopardy 5 The right to a speedy trial 6 The right to a jury trial (in most cases) 7 The right to examine witnesses 8 The right against cruel and unusual punishment 9 The right to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty

What is the right to the presumption of innocence?

The right against cruel and unusual punishment. The right to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. One of a defendant’s most important rights is that to legal representation under the Sixth Amendment.

What is a plea bargain?

Discussing the possibility of a plea bargain with the prosecutor, which may involve agreeing to plead guilty to lesser charges or to receive a lesser sentence. Helping you decide whether to plead guilty or take your case to trial. Representing you at a jury trial.

What percentage of rape victims test positive for drugs?

One national study showed that only 25% of accused sexual assault witnesses who tested positive for drugs such as cannabis, amphetamines, and heroin admitted taking them. There may be a number of reasons why a victim of rape might not want to admit drug use.

Why do people not report rape?

Rape victims feel ashamed, scared, or a wronged sense of responsibility for the crime. Frequently victims do not even understand that what happened to them was in fact a criminal attack.

How many victims of rape suffer significant injuries?

Only 4% of victims suffer significant injuries. The untrained public expects all rape to occur in very specific preconceived scenarios. Accordingly, jurors often want evidence of physical injury. They perceive those injuries as necessary proof of the victim's lack of consent.

Is sedating drugs common in sexual assault?

Weiss the associate director for scientific affairs for the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health, says that "drugs that are sedating drugs or incapacitating drugs probably are not that common in sexual assault.".