What does prosecutorial mean?
Prosecutorial is an adjective relating to a public prosecutor or the prosecution's conduct of a criminal case. It may describe legal powers and responsibilities, such as prosecutorial discretion, misconduct, or strategy, as well as the forceful and adversarial character of arguments made by the prosecution. The term is primarily formal and legal rather than everyday, and it often appears in discussions of courtroom procedure, prosecutorial ethics, and the limits of government lawyers. A prosecutorial decision may involve whether to bring charges, what evidence to present, or how to conduct a trial. Because the word can suggest a distinctly combative approach to law, it is sometimes used critically, especially in references to prosecutorial overreach. Overall, it identifies the distinctive professional and rhetorical role of the public prosecution in criminal justice.
adjectiveRelating to a public prosecutor, public prosecution, or the conduct of a criminal case by the prosecution. It can also describe arguments, tactics, or legal language associated with putting a defendant on trial.
- Relating to a public prosecutor or public prosecution.
- Characteristic of the arguments, tactics, or style of a prosecution in a criminal case.
"The defence argued that the prosecutor's conduct had exceeded the bounds of proper prosecutorial discretion."
"The court barred the prosecutor from presenting evidence that had been unlawfully obtained."
"Her prosecutorial analysis of the evidence suggested that the case against the defendant was weak."
Prosecutorial describes the distinctive legal style used when the public prosecution argues that someone committed a crime.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prosecutorial come from?
The word is derived from the English verb “prosecute,” which comes from Latin prosecutus, a past participle of prosequi, meaning to follow onward or pursue. In its legal sense, “prosecute” developed through the idea of pursuing a case or bringing someone to justice. The suffix “-orial” forms an adjective indicating relation to a person or function, producing “prosecutorial” in the 19th century. Related forms include “prosecutor” and “prosecution.”
Related word forms
How prosecutorial is actually used
Usually formal and legal. It can describe conduct, powers, strategy, or style; when applied to a style of argument, it often implies an adversarial or forceful approach.