Also known as: district attorneys · DA · D.A. · prosecutor
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A public official appointed or elected to represent the state in criminal cases in a particular judicial district.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
David Dawson stands trial for assaulting Doris Duffy. Dawson introduces evidence that Duffy has a violent character. The district attorney responds by calling witnesses to show Duffy's peaceful nature in the community.
Deanna Davenport faces murder charges after a fatal altercation with Dustin Donovan. Davenport claims Donovan attacked first. The district attorney introduces testimony about Donovan's reputation for peacefulness to counter that claim.
Diane Dawson is prosecuted for theft. The district attorney seeks to introduce a prior felony conviction against Dawson to prove an essential element of the current charge. The court admits the judgment after confirming it meets the required criteria.
Dorothy Daniels sues the district attorney of her county to challenge a state criminal statute. The district attorney defends the law in federal court on behalf of the state. The litigation centers on whether the statute imposes unconstitutional restrictions.
The district attorney files a libel on behalf of the United States seeking forfeiture of timber seized from a vessel. The claimant challenges the seizure as unauthorized. The district attorney proceeds based on an independent assessment of governmental interests.
Dustin Donovan appeals his conviction after the trial court refused a requested jury instruction. The assistant district attorney argues the existing instructions adequately covered the issue. The reviewing court examines whether the refusal constituted reversible error.
The district attorney must give reasonable notice of any evidence of prior acts the prosecution intends to offer at trial. This allows the defendant a fair opportunity to meet the evidence.
Supporting sources
A district attorney must refrain from extrajudicial comments that create a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused. The district attorney must also prevent others assisting in the case from making prohibited statements.
Supporting sources
A district attorney may disclose grand jury materials at the request of the government when sought by a foreign court or prosecutor for use in an official criminal investigation.
Supporting sources
…and that they had been unable to find a doctor willing to perform an abortion on the wife. The action was brought against the District Attorney of the county in which the plaintiffs resided. The complaint alleged that Roe was unmarried and pregnant, that she wished to terminate her pregnancy by an abortion performed by a competent…