prosecuting attorney: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Legal
Quick answer
What does “prosecuting attorney” mean?
A government lawyer whose job is to bring criminal charges against a defendant in court.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A government lawyer whose job is to bring criminal charges against a defendant in court.
A public official, usually elected or appointed, who represents the state in criminal proceedings, responsible for evaluating evidence, filing charges, presenting the case in trial, and advocating for the state's interest in securing a conviction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'prosecuting attorney' is predominantly American. In British English, the equivalent roles are 'Crown Prosecutor' (in England and Wales) or 'Procurator Fiscal' (in Scotland). 'Barrister' or 'solicitor' might be used contextually but not as an official title.
Connotations
In the US, it often carries a political connotation as many are elected officials. In the UK, 'Crown Prosecutor' is a civil service role within the Crown Prosecution Service, seen as less politically charged.
Frequency
Very high frequency in US legal and journalistic contexts. Very low frequency in UK contexts, where the specific British terms are used.
Grammar
How to Use “prosecuting attorney” in a Sentence
The prosecuting attorney [verb: presented/argued/called]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of white-collar crime or corporate litigation (e.g., 'The company's executives met with the prosecuting attorney.')
Academic
Used in law textbooks, criminology, and political science papers discussing the justice system.
Everyday
Used in news reports, crime dramas, and general discussions about court cases.
Technical
Core term in legal proceedings, court documents, and judicial administration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prosecuting attorney”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prosecuting attorney”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prosecuting attorney”
- Using it as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'He works as prosecuting attorney'). Correct: 'He works as a prosecuting attorney.'
- Confusing it with 'attorney general', which is a different, higher-ranking official.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Often, yes. 'District Attorney' (DA) is a specific title for the chief prosecuting attorney of a district. An 'assistant district attorney' is also a prosecuting attorney. 'Prosecuting attorney' is a more general term for any lawyer prosecuting a case.
No, not in their official capacity. Their professional role is to represent the state in criminal cases. If they acted for a defendant, they would be acting as a private defence attorney, not as a prosecuting attorney.
They work for the government (state, federal, or local). They represent 'the people' or 'the state' in a criminal case, not the victim, though they work with victims and witnesses.
Key differences include title and method of appointment. US prosecuting attorneys (like District Attorneys) are often elected locally, while UK Crown Prosecutors are career lawyers employed by the national Crown Prosecution Service.
A government lawyer whose job is to bring criminal charges against a defendant in court.
Prosecuting attorney is usually formal, legal in register.
Prosecuting attorney: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprɒsɪkjuːtɪŋ əˈtɜːni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈprɑːsɪkjuːtɪŋ əˈtɜːrni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The prosecuting attorney threw the book at him.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PROSECUTing ATTACKney - the attorney who attacks (prosecutes) the defendant in court.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LAW IS A BATTLE (The prosecuting attorney is the general for the state's army).
Practice
Quiz
In which country would you most likely hear the term 'prosecuting attorney' used in a formal legal context?