Prosecutor

A prosecutor is the government lawyer who brings and pursues criminal charges against a person accused of a crime. In the federal system, U.S. Attorneys prosecute federal crimes and represent the United States in court, typically after a grand jury has indicted the defendant. State and local prosecutions are handled by state prosecutors, such as district attorneys, under state law.

Example: In a federal criminal case, the U.S. Attorney presents evidence to a grand jury, seeks an indictment, and then represents the United States at trial, while the defendant is represented by defense counsel.

Common misconception: A prosecutor’s job is not simply to win convictions; courts have said prosecutors serve the public interest and must turn over evidence favorable to the accused.

Sources: https://www.nynd.uscourts.gov/about-court; https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts