coprosecutor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Legal/Judicial
Quick answer
What does “coprosecutor” mean?
An attorney who jointly prosecutes a legal case alongside another prosecutor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An attorney who jointly prosecutes a legal case alongside another prosecutor.
A lawyer who shares official responsibility for presenting the state's or government's case in a criminal or civil trial, operating as part of a team. Can also refer to prosecutors from different jurisdictions (e.g., state and federal) collaborating on a case.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is theoretically applicable in both systems but is extremely rare. The concept is more operationally embedded in the US system with its multiple overlapping jurisdictions (federal, state, local). In the UK, 'leading counsel' and 'junior counsel' structures might be used instead of explicitly labelling a 'coprosecutor'.
Connotations
Implies formal, shared legal authority and responsibility, not mere assistance.
Frequency
Exceptionally rare in both varieties. 'Co-counsel' or 'prosecuting team' are vastly more common ways to express the concept.
Grammar
How to Use “coprosecutor” in a Sentence
[coprosecutor] + of + [case/type][coprosecutor] + with + [person/office]act as + [coprosecutor] + onVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coprosecutor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Crown Prosecution Service decided to coprosecute the complex fraud case with the Serious Fraud Office.
American English
- The district attorney's office will coprosecute the case alongside federal authorities.
adverb
British English
- The case was handled coprosecutorially by the two agencies.
American English
- They worked coprosecutorially to present a unified front.
adjective
British English
- They entered into a coprosecution agreement for the cross-border investigation.
American English
- The coprosecution strategy was outlined in a memo to the judge.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, only in legal scholarship discussing prosecutorial structures.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Exclusively in formal legal documents or discussions about multi-jurisdictional cases.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coprosecutor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coprosecutor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coprosecutor”
- Confusing it with 'co-defendant' (the opposite side).
- Using it to mean 'assistant to the prosecutor'.
- Misspelling as 'co-prosecuter'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. An 'assistant' often implies a hierarchical relationship to a lead prosecutor. A 'coprosecutor' implies a more co-equal, collaborative partnership, though an assistant could be designated as a coprosecutor on a specific case.
'Co-counsel' is a broader term for any lawyers working together on the same side of a case, for either defence or prosecution. 'Coprosecutor' is specifically and exclusively for prosecutors. In a prosecution context, they can often be used interchangeably, though 'coprosecutor' is more precise.
It is very uncommon. Legal professionals typically use descriptive phrases like 'we are prosecuting this case jointly with the federal government' or 'my co-counsel from the state AG's office' rather than the formal title 'coprosecutor'.
Typically, no. A prosecutor is a government official acting on behalf of the state. A 'coprosecutor' would therefore also be a government lawyer. In rare instances, a private lawyer might be appointed as a 'special prosecutor', who could then work with a regular prosecutor, but they would not usually be labelled a 'coprosecutor'.
An attorney who jointly prosecutes a legal case alongside another prosecutor.
Coprosecutor is usually formal, legal/judicial in register.
Coprosecutor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊˈprɒsɪkjuːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊˈprɑːsɪkjuːtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To tag-team a prosecution (informal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'COllaborating PROSECUTOR'. Two prosecutors CO-operating on a case.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A TEAM SPORT (where coprosecutors are teammates).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a coprosecutor?