Q: Could you tell what are the responsibilities when a state prosecutor is involved with a criminal case?
A: As a former prosecutor in Pinellas County for 15 years, my function was to thoroughly investigate all criminal cases referred to the office by law enforcement and determine whether a prosecutable case existed and what was the likelihood of obtaining a conviction. The prosecutor's function is to "do right', meaning that the decisions about a particular case needed to be made in that order - the goal was not simply chasing convictions. As a result, approximately 50% of the cases referred for review were typically rejected. As the office has evolved, prosecutors have now established programs for first time offenders that may result in their cases ultimately being dismissed if they satisfy certain requirements. On the other hand, some offices have specialized departments to deal with career criminals, sex offenders and consumer fraud cases. Prosecutors must be particularly concerned about the rights of crime victims and help guide them through the criminal system. It is a critical and worthwhile job in both protecting the public from criminals and making sure that justice is done.
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