Who Is A Public Prosecutor?
In jurisdictions with either a civil law inquisitorial system or a common law adversarial system, a prosecutor is a legal representative of the prosecution. In a criminal trial, the prosecution is the party legally tasked with making its case against the defendant who is alleged to have broken the law. The prosecutor typically defends the state or the federal government in the case brought against the defendant.
A public prosecutor is a person who has been chosen by the federal or state governments to represent the state’s interests in criminal proceedings.
What Is The Role Of A Public Prosecutor?
The Public Prosecutor’s responsibility is to represent the State, not the police. According to the 1973 Code of Criminal Procedure, the State may designate a Public Prosecutor, an important member of the State Government. She or he is not a member of the investigative team. She or he is a statutory autonomous authority.
Who is Class 8 Public Prosecutor?
In any criminal case, a public prosecutor represents the state. It’s because a crime is seen as a crime against society as a whole. The public prosecutor starts the state’s prosecution after the police have finished their investigation.
In South Africa, How Long Does It Take To Become A Prosecutor?
The curriculum lasts for a year, and upon completion, qualified candidates may be appointed to entry-level prosecutorial jobs with the NPA. The initiative makes sure that qualified prosecutors have more capacity to prosecute cases in subordinate courts.
Who Chooses The Public Prosecutor?
Prosecutors Sub-section (1) dealt with the appointment of Public Prosecutors and said that “The State Government should appoint in each area one or more Assistant Public Prosecutors for carrying out prosecutions in the courts of magistrates.”
Career Requirement For A Public Prosecutor
| Required Education | J.D. |
| Other Requirements | State bar license |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 4% for all lawyers |
| Average Salary (2019) | $65,123** |
How To Become A Public Prosecutor In South Africa
Below are steps to Become A Public Prosecutor In South Africa
Step 1: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Program
While there is no required undergraduate major, students may benefit from taking courses that improve their reading, writing, and critical-thinking skills. Many pre-law students earn degrees in political science, English, or philosophy.
Step 2: Prepare for Law School Admission Test
Following undergraduate studies, prospective prosecutors must attend three years of law school to earn their Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees. Admission to law school is competitive and contingent on students’ Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores. This test measures necessary qualities for law school by assessing reading comprehension, analytical, and logical reasoning skills, according to the Law School Admission Council.
Step 3: Complete Law School
Law school is a three-year commitment for full-time students. During the first half of law school, students gain core knowledge by learning about necessary components of the law, including contracts, torts, and civil procedure.
In the final half of law school, students study topics in specializations of their choosing, such as tax or corporate law. Prospective prosecuting attorneys may want to consider studying criminal law to prepare for the career.
Step 4: Pass the Bar Exam
Attorneys must become licensed by passing the written bar exam upon completion of law school. The exam is administered through each state. According to the BLS, most states require passage of the Multistate Bar Examination, and some states also require attorneys to pass ethics exams and other state-specific tests.
Step 5: Gain Experience
Prosecuting attorneys must feel comfortable in courtrooms, so trial experience may be beneficial. They must also have an understanding of their communities’ needs and the motivations driving lawbreakers.
Successful prosecution can lead to an individual’s loss of rights, and so a criminal prosecution lawyer must use discretion, perform a careful research, and seek justice.
