district attorney

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Explanation of "District Attorney"

Definition: A "district attorney" (often abbreviated as DA) is a lawyer who works for the government and is responsible for prosecuting (bringing legal action against) people who are accused of committing crimes in a specific area called a judicial district.

Advanced Usage:

• In some regions, the term can also refer to a specific role within the justice system, focusing on community safety and legal accountability.
• The district attorney may also work with law enforcement to investigate crimes before deciding whether to file charges.

Word Variants:

• DA: A common abbreviation for district attorney.
• Assistant District Attorney: A lawyer who assists the district attorney in prosecuting cases.

Different Meaning:

While "district attorney" specifically refers to a prosecuting lawyer in a judicial district, the term "attorney" in general can refer to any lawyer who practices law, either as a prosecutor or defense lawyer.

Synonyms:

• Prosecutor
• State Attorney (in some regions)
• County Attorney (in some jurisdictions)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "district attorney," but you might encounter phrases like:
  • "Take to court": To bring a legal case against someone.
  • "Press charges": To formally accuse someone of a crime, often done by the district attorney.

Summary:

In summary, a district attorney is a key figure in the legal system responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in a designated area.

Academic

Noun

1. an official prosecutor for a judicial district

Synonyms

• da