PROSECUTOR (ante), in the United States is a public officer appointed by the gen eral government or by that of each state to institute criminal proceedings against the violators of U. S. or state laws. It will be seen from this definition that the English system of prosecution by private individuals is not followed in this country, though in some states there may be private as well as public prosecution. The U. S. prosecutor is termed a district-attorney, and one is appointed by the president for each judicial dis trict; in the state similar officers for each district or county are provided, usually by appointment from the legislature or the executive power, but sometimes by election. Prosecuting officers are also appointed for the police and minor courts, with less power than that of the district-attorneys, and special prosecuting agents are often provided to carry out laws regarding the licensing of liquor •dealers. It is the duty of the public prosecutor in cases of small magnitude, or where the system of "informations" alone prevails, to present to the court a written accusation against the accused person, which must be under oath, and is called the information. In cases where a grand-jury indict
ment is necessary, lie must frame the document and lay it before that body, with evi idenee in support of the allegations therein contained. He has the right to be present at the sessions of the grand jury, and to give their investigations all possible aid. When a " true bill" is returned by the jury the further conduct of the prosecution is altogether sunder his control. He may employ private counsel to assist him, or allow others to do so. but he remains the responsible instrument of the law. He may, if the evidence or facts within his knowledge justify in his judgment the step, enter a no& prosepri, thus ending the present prosecution, but not barring the right to begin a new action on the obtaining of further proof. In some states the consent of the court must he obtained to the entering of a ?toile, but it is usually within the discretion of the public prosecutor_ The accused has a right to refuse the offer and demand a verdict, if a jury have been impaneled.