People of the Court

Lawyersand

Judges

Prosecutor

•Federal

• State• Local

Roles and Duties of a Prosecutor

A Prosecutor is a government public

official

* A ProsecutorProsecutor will screen cases to

determine which should be accepted for further

processing.

*They will decide what specific offenses to

charge a suspect.

*They coordinate the investigation of a case, including the gathering

of evidence and interviewing of

Witnesses.

*They make recommendations about

whether a defendant should be released on bail and how

much the amount of bail should be.

* They decide which cases might be amenable to a plea bargainplea bargain and then negotiates the settlement with the defense attorney.

* Participates in the selection of a jury for those cases that go to

trial.

* Argues the case on behalf of the government at a

trial.

Makes recommendations about

sentencing

Defense CounselDefense Counsel

Roles and Duties of the DefenseDefense

Lawyer.

• A.A.They are an advocates for the accused.• B.B. They are a spokesperson for the

accused.• C.C. They are a counselor, offering advice

and assistance in explaining the risks and benefits of alternative courses of action.

The Defense Defense attorney fulfills three roles:

The Duties of an DefenseDefense Attorney

** Seeks the pretrial release of the accused

Files motions to suppress evidence illegally obtained

Can seek to move the client’s client’s case

from others. (if several people have been jointly accused of the same

offense)

The Defense.Defense. Can Seek to

have charges Dropped.dis

missed

The DefenseDefense::can enter a

plea in response to the charges filed.

The Defense will decide whether to waive

the right to a jury trial

The Defense Defense will decide whether

the accused should testify in

his or her own behalf.

The Accused can hire his own

attorney or the state will appoint

one.

If one is appointed by the judge they are selected

from a list of attorneyslist of attorneys

to represent the accused during the criminal

proceedings.