In countries adopting the common law adversarial system or the civil law inquisitorial system, the prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution. The prosecution is the legal party responsible for presenting the case against an individual suspected of breaking the law in a criminal trial. This article concerns the common-law legal system, as contrasted with the civil law legal system; for other meanings of the term, within the field of law, see common law (disambiguation). ... The adversarial system (or adversary system) of law is the system of law, generally adopted in common law countries, that relies on the skill of the different advocates representing their partys positions and not on some neutral party, usually the judge, trying to ascertain the truth of the case. ... Civil law has at least three meanings. ... An inquisitorial system is a legal system where the court or a part of the court is actively involved in determining the facts of the case, as opposed to an adversarial system where the role of the court is solely that of an impartial referee between parties. ... for other uses please see Crime (disambiguation) A crime is an act that violates a political or moral law. ... A jury trial is a trial where a judge or judges are supplemented by a jury, made up of citizens who are usually randomly selected and are generally not justice professionals. ...

Common law countries

Prosecutors are typically lawyers who possess a university degree in law, are recognized as legal professionals by the court in which they intend to represent the state, and, in countries where the distinction is made, are barristers or advocates. They usually only become involved in a criminal case once charges need to be laid. They are typically employed by an office of the government with safeguards in place to ensure such an office can successfully pursue the prosecution of government officials. Often multiple offices exist in a single country due to the various legal jurisdictions that exist. A lawyer is a person licensed by the state to advise clients in legal matters and represent them in courts of law (and in other forms of dispute resolution). ... This article is about academic degrees. ... Barristers: traditional dress. ... It has been suggested that Barrister#Advocates in Scotland be merged into this article or section. ... In law, jurisdiction refers to the aspect of a any unique legal authority as being localized within boundaries. ...

In England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and Canada the director of any such office is typically known as the Director of Public Prosecutions and is appointed (as opposed to elected). Royal motto: Quis separabit (Latin: Who will separate?) Northern Irelands location within the UK Official languages English, Irish, Ulster Scots Capital and largest city Belfast First Minister Office suspended Area  - Total Ranked 4th 13,843 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 4th 1,685,267 122/km² NUTS 1... The Director of Public Prosecutions is the officer charged with the prosecution of criminal offences in several jurisdictions around the world. ...

In the United States the director of any such offices may be known by any of several names depending on the legal jurisdiction (e.g. County Attorney, County Prosecutor, State Attorney, State Prosecutor, Commonwealth's Attorney, District Attorney, City Attorney, City Prosecutor or U.S. Attorney) and may be either appointed or elected. A district attorney at the county level in the United States is the prosecutor for a county or local judicial district. ... A district attorney at the county level in the United States is the prosecutor for a county or local judicial district. ... United States Attorneys represent the U.S. federal government in United States district court. ... United States Attorneys represent the U.S. federal government in United States district court. ... Commonwealths Attorney is the title given to the elected felony prosecutor in Virginia and Kentucky. ... A district attorney at the county level in the United States is the prosecutor for a county or local judicial district. ... A district attorney at the county level in the United States is the prosecutor for a county or local judicial district. ... A district attorney at the county level in the United States is the prosecutor for a county or local judicial district. ... United States Attorneys represent the U.S. federal government in United States district court. ...

Though Scotlland has a common law system (see Scots law), its heritage in civil law leads to a situation more reminiscient of of a civil law jurisdiction. Here all prosecutions are carried out by Procurators Fiscal on behalf of the Lord Advocate, and, in theory, they can direct investigations by the police. In very serious cases a Procurator Fiscal, Advocate Depute or even the Lord Advocate may take charge of a police investigation. It is at the discretion of the Procurator Fiscal or Lord Advocate to take a prosecution to court and to decide on whether to prosecute it under solemn procedure or summary procedure. All prosecutions are handled within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. This article concerns the common-law legal system, as contrasted with the civil law legal system; for other meanings of the term, within the field of law, see common law (disambiguation). ... Scots law (or Scottish law) is the law of Scotland. ... Civil law has at least three meanings. ... Civil law has at least three meanings. ... In law, jurisdiction refers to the aspect of a any unique legal authority as being localized within boundaries. ... The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service provides an independent public prosecution service in Scotland. ... Her Majestys Advocate, known as the Lord Advocate (Morair Tagraidh in Scots Gaelic), was the chief legal adviser of the United Kingdom Government and the Crown in Scotland for both civil and criminal matters until the passing of the Scotland Act 1998. ... The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service provides an independent public prosecution service in Scotland. ... Her Majestys Advocate, known as the Lord Advocate (Morair Tagraidh in Scots Gaelic), was the chief legal adviser of the United Kingdom Government and the Crown in Scotland for both civil and criminal matters until the passing of the Scotland Act 1998. ... The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service provides an independent public prosecution service in Scotland. ... Her Majestys Advocate, known as the Lord Advocate (Morair Tagraidh in Scots Gaelic), was the chief legal adviser of the United Kingdom Government and the Crown in Scotland for both civil and criminal matters until the passing of the Scotland Act 1998. ...

Being backed by the power of the state, prosecutors are usually subject to special professional responsibility rules in addition to those binding all lawyers as a whole. For example, as "ministers of justice," American prosecutors are supposed to act in good faith, and can be disbarred for deliberately hiding evidence that exonerates the defendant. Professional responsibility is the area of legal practice that encompasses the duties of attorneys to act in a professional manner, obey the law, avoid conflicts of interest, and put the interests of clients ahead of their own interests. ...

Civil law countries

Prosecutors are typically civil servants who possess a university degree in law and additional training in the administration of justice. In some countries, such as France, they belong to the same corps of civil servants as the judges. Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... This article is about academic degrees. ...

In France, the prosecutor, or procureur (or procureur général in a Appeal Court or the Court of Cassation) is assisted by deputies (substituts). He opens preliminary enquiries, and if necessary asks for the nomination of an investigating magistrate to lead a judiciary information. In the case of an information led by a judge, the prosecutor does not lead the enquiries, but simply lays down the scope of the crimes that the judge and law enforcement forces investigate upon; he may, like defense attorneys, request or suggest further enquiries. The Cour de cassation is the main court of last resort in France. ... This article is about the inquisitorial system for organizing court proceedings. ...

During a criminal trial, the prosecutor has to lay the case in front of the trier of fact (judges or jury). He generally suggests a certain sentence, which the court has no obligation to follow — the court may decide on a higher or lower sentence. The procureur has also some other duties regarding more generally the administration of justice. The term, Judges, may refer to the Book of Judges in the Bible or to the office of judge. ... This article can be confusing for some readers, and needs to be edited for clarity. ...