Legal Definitions - prosecutor

A prosecutor is a lawyer who represents the government—either the state or the federal government—in criminal legal proceedings. Their primary role is to initiate and conduct legal cases against individuals accused of committing crimes. Prosecutors are responsible for reviewing evidence, deciding whether to file formal charges, and then presenting the government's case in court to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of a prosecutor:

• Example 1: Local Misdemeanor Case

  Imagine a situation where an individual is arrested for shoplifting from a local grocery store. An assistant district attorney, who serves as a prosecutor for the county, would review the police report, security footage, and witness statements. If they determine there is sufficient evidence, this prosecutor would file charges against the accused and then represent the state in court, presenting the evidence to a judge or jury to seek a conviction for the theft.

  This example demonstrates how a prosecutor represents the state in a common, local criminal matter, deciding whether to pursue charges and then arguing the case in court.

• Example 2: Federal Cybercrime Investigation

  Consider a complex case where a group of hackers from different states is suspected of stealing sensitive financial data from a major corporation's servers. A U.S. Attorney, or an Assistant U.S. Attorney working under them, would act as the prosecutor. Given that the crime crosses state lines and involves federal statutes related to computer fraud, this federal prosecutor would work with agencies like the FBI to build the case, file federal charges, and then prosecute the individuals in federal court.

  This illustrates a prosecutor's role in federal cases, often involving more complex investigations and crimes that span multiple jurisdictions or violate federal laws.

• Example 3: High-Profile Felony Trial

  Suppose a suspect is arrested and charged with a serious felony, such as armed robbery with assault, which resulted in significant injury to a victim. A prosecutor from the District Attorney's office would be assigned to this case. They would meticulously prepare for trial, interviewing witnesses, coordinating with forensic experts, and strategizing how to present the evidence. During the trial, this prosecutor would present the state's arguments, question witnesses, and ultimately urge the jury to find the defendant guilty based on the evidence presented.

  This example highlights a prosecutor's comprehensive involvement in serious criminal trials, from preparation to presenting the government's case in court.