Criminal prosecution

Criminal prosecution is a government legal action seeking to establish a person’s guilt for an alleged crime. It can lead to penalties imposed by the state if guilt is established.

Criminal charge: A formal accusation that a person committed a crime. A prosecution commonly begins when the government files or presents a charge.
Prosecutor: A lawyer who represents the government in a criminal case. The prosecutor presents the government’s case and makes charging decisions.
Public prosecutor: A government lawyer authorized to bring and conduct criminal cases on behalf of the public. This official exercises the state’s authority to prosecute alleged crimes.
Civil litigation: A legal process for resolving disputes between private parties or between parties and government. Unlike criminal prosecution, it generally seeks remedies rather than criminal punishment.
Arraignment: A court proceeding in which a defendant is informed of charges and asked to enter a plea. This early hearing records the defendant’s response to the prosecution’s charges.
Defendant: A person formally accused of a crime in a criminal proceeding. The prosecution seeks to establish the defendant’s guilt.
Defense attorney: A lawyer who represents a person accused of a crime. Defense counsel challenges the prosecution’s evidence and protects the accused’s rights.
Administrative enforcement: Government action by an agency to enforce regulations through administrative procedures. Agencies can impose regulatory consequences without bringing a criminal prosecution.
Plea bargain: An agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty in exchange for concessions from the prosecution. Many prosecutions end through negotiated pleas rather than trials.
Presumption of innocence: The principle that an accused person is treated as not guilty unless guilt is proved. It places the burden on the prosecution rather than the accused.

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