Definition

1. Noun:
   • A government official who conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state: A prosecuting attorney is a lawyer employed by a government agency whose duty is to initiate and carry out legal proceedings against individuals or entities accused of breaking the law. They represent the state or the people in criminal cases.

Usage

• The term "prosecuting attorney" is used to refer to the specific government lawyer responsible for presenting the case against a defendant in a criminal trial. It is a formal title for a public office.
• Example:
• Example:

Advanced Usage

• "Acting as prosecuting attorney": Temporarily performing the duties of this role.
  • While the elected official was ill, her deputy was acting as prosecuting attorney.
• "Office of the prosecuting attorney": Refers to the department or administrative body led by this official.
  • Witnesses were asked to report to the office of the prosecuting attorney.

Variants and Related Words

• Prosecutor (n): A more common general term for a prosecuting attorney.
  • The prosecutor filed charges.
• District Attorney (D.A.) (n): A common title for a prosecuting attorney at the county or city level in many U.S. jurisdictions.
  • The District Attorney held a press conference.
• State's Attorney (n): A title used in some U.S. states for a prosecuting attorney.
• Crown Prosecutor (n): The equivalent title used in some Commonwealth countries like the United Kingdom and Canada.
• Public Prosecutor (n): A general term used in many legal systems worldwide.

Synonyms

• State's lawyer: A lawyer representing the government.
• Criminal prosecutor: A lawyer who prosecutes criminal cases.

Related Phrases

• "To be prosecuted by the prosecuting attorney": To have a criminal case brought against one by this official.
  • The suspect will be prosecuted by the prosecuting attorney.
• "The case for the prosecution": The argument and evidence presented by the prosecuting attorney.
  • The case for the prosecution relied on forensic evidence.

Related Idioms

• "To throw the book at someone": (Informal idiom often associated with a prosecutor's actions) To charge or punish someone as severely as possible.
  • The prosecuting attorney threatened to throw the book at the repeat offender.

Noun

1. a government official who conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state