West's Encyclopedia of American Law | Prosecutor

One who prosecutes another for a crime in the name of the government.

State and county governments employ prosecutors to represent their local communities in complaints against criminal defendants. On the federal level, the president appoints prosecutors to represent the United States in complaints against criminal defendants.

In some states a prosecutor must present the court with a written statement of the charges, called an information. In other states a prosecutor is required to convene a GRAND JURY before charging a defendant with a serious crime. A grand jury is a collection of laypersons selected by the prosecutor to examine evidence and decide whether to indict the defendant and so authorize prosecution. On the federal level, the FIFTH AMENDMENT requires prosecutors to...