Legal Definitions - district attorney

A District Attorney (often abbreviated as D.A.) is a public official who represents the government in criminal legal proceedings within a specific geographic area, typically called a judicial district or county. This individual is responsible for prosecuting individuals accused of committing crimes, meaning they bring charges against suspects and argue the government's case in court.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of a District Attorney:

• Felony Prosecution: After a string of burglaries in a suburban neighborhood, police arrest a suspect. The District Attorney's office for that county would review the evidence gathered by the police, decide if there's enough to press charges, and then represent the state in court to prosecute the alleged burglar. This demonstrates the D.A.'s function in pursuing serious criminal charges on behalf of the community and the state.

• Misdemeanor Plea Bargain: A college student is arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) after a party. The District Attorney for that judicial district would handle the case. They might offer the student a plea bargain, such as pleading guilty to a lesser charge or agreeing to specific penalties like community service and alcohol education, instead of going to trial. This illustrates the D.A.'s role in negotiating resolutions for criminal cases, even for less severe offenses, to ensure justice is served without necessarily requiring a full trial.

• Grand Jury Presentation: Following a complex white-collar crime investigation involving multiple financial institutions, law enforcement believes they have sufficient evidence to charge several individuals. The District Attorney's office would present the evidence to a grand jury, seeking an indictment (a formal accusation) to proceed with felony charges against the suspects. This shows the D.A.'s involvement in the early stages of serious criminal proceedings, using a grand jury to determine if there is probable cause to bring formal charges.