Prosecutors are typically lawyers who possess a university degree in law, are recognized as legal professionals by the court in which they intend to represent the state, and, in countries where the distinction is made, are barristers. They usually only become involved in a criminal case once charges need to be laid and are typically employed by an office of the government with safeguards in place to ensure such an office can successfully pursue the prosecution of government officials. Often multiple offices exist in a single country due to the various legal jurisdictions that exist.
In the United States the director of any such offices may be known by any of several names depending on the legal jurisdiction (e.g. County Attorney, County Prosecutor, State Attorney, State Prosecutor, District Attorney or U.S. Attorney) and may be either appointed or elected.
In France, the prosecutor, or procureur (or procureur général in a Appeal Court or the Court of Cassation) is assisted by deputies (substituts). He opens preliminary enquiries, and if necessary asks for the nomination of an investigating magistrate to lead a judiciary information. The prosecutor does not lead the enquiries himself. During a criminal trial, the prosecutor has to lay the case in front of the Court (judges or jury). He generally suggests a certain sentence, which the court has no obligation to follow — the court may decide on a higher or lower sentence.
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