state's attorney
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A prosecuting attorney for a state: A lawyer who represents a state government (as opposed to a city or the federal government) in criminal court proceedings. This official is responsible for bringing legal actions against individuals or entities accused of violating state laws.
Usage
- The term "state's attorney" is a formal title for a government lawyer who prosecutes crimes defined by state law. It is used to specify the jurisdiction (the state) and the role (prosecution).
- It is commonly capitalized when referring to a specific office or person (e.g., the State's Attorney for Cook County).
Examples
- Noun:
- The state's attorney presented compelling evidence to the jury.
- After reviewing the police report, the state's attorney decided to file formal charges.
- She was elected to serve as the county's state's attorney.
Advanced Usage
- "Acting state's attorney": A lawyer who temporarily performs the duties of the state's attorney, often due to an absence or vacancy in the office.
- The deputy was appointed acting state's attorney until the special election.
Variants and Related Words
- Prosecutor / Prosecuting Attorney: General terms for a lawyer who conducts legal proceedings against a defendant. A "state's attorney" is a type of prosecutor.
- District Attorney (D.A.): A similar elected official who prosecutes state crimes, but this title is used in some states (e.g., New York, California) instead of "state's attorney."
- Attorney General: The chief legal officer of a state or the nation, with broader responsibilities than a state's attorney, who typically handles local criminal prosecutions.
- U.S. Attorney: A federal prosecutor appointed to represent the United States government in a specific federal judicial district.
Synonyms
- Public Prosecutor: A lawyer who represents the government in criminal court.
- Crown Prosecutor (used in some Commonwealth countries): A similar role representing the state or crown in criminal cases.
Related Phrases
- "The state's attorney's office": Refers to the entire department or staff of lawyers and support personnel working under the state's attorney.
- Witnesses were interviewed by investigators from the state's attorney's office.
Noun
- a prosecuting attorney for a state