In a court of law, a prosecutor is someone who represents the government or its citizens. Prosecutor positions are available at all levels of government, including local, state, and federal. This person could be called upon to prosecute any type of criminal activity, as well as specific offenses like gang activity. Prosecutors may also be responsible for enforcing the laws of various government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. In most cases, this is an elected position, but it is also possible to be hired or appointed to this position.
Jobs as a public prosecutor are available at all levels of government. A local prosecutor may be appointed to represent the government in cases involving crimes committed against a city or county. At the trial or appellate level, a state prosecutor can represent the government in crimes against the state. Federal prosecutors frequently deal with crimes that violate federal statutes or are pending before the federal courts.
Special prosecutors are employed by some governments to deal with gang activity, drug trafficking, and non-payment of child support. Only those types of offenses might be prosecuted in one of these types of prosecutor jobs. A prosecutor may have the authority to file charges, conduct investigations, and negotiate plea deals while serving in this capacity. A high-ranking government official usually appoints a prosecutor with specialized experience to one of these positions.
Jobs as a prosecutor can also be found in administrative agencies with the authority to make laws. The prosecutor’s job description in this position could include investigating crimes against the agency and enforcing its statutes. An administrative hearing, which is similar to a court trial, is usually used to accomplish this. In order to find the right person for the job, these positions are frequently filled by posting job openings and then interviewing and testing candidates.
To become a prosecutor in most jurisdictions, a person must first graduate from an accredited law school and pass the bar exam. After that, a person can register as a candidate for office with the local voter registration office. Having some trial experience is beneficial, but it is not required in most cases. Prosecutors’ terms vary depending on where they work, but they usually last four years. An exception to this is one who works for an administrative agency, as a prosecutor in this capacity is normally hired for an indefinite period rather than being elected.