Can a district attorney arrest someone?

Power of Charging District attorneys have the power to choose which charges are filed against an individual accused of a crime. When the police arrest someone, the district attorney’s office has the power to prosecute those cases, divert the accused to a program or drug treatment, or dismiss the case altogether.

Do district attorneys prosecute police?

WASH., D.C. Local prosecutors (district, county or state’s attorneys) may prosecute police officers who engage in behavior, on- or off-duty, that violates the law. When officers are prosecuted, it is usually under state law for crimes such as murder, manslaughter, assault, battery, or rape.

Is a DA law enforcement?

In the United States, a district attorney (DA), state’s attorney, prosecuting attorney, commonwealth’s attorney, or state attorney is the chief prosecutor and/or chief law enforcement officer representing a U.S. state in a local government area, typically a county.

Can a police officer file charges against a district attorney?

This is because each decision – the decision to arrest and the decision to file charges – is made by a different authority. Police arrest someone when they believe that he has committed a crime. But only the District Attorney’s Office can file charges against someone.

Can a district attorney dismiss a criminal case?

When the police arrest someone and charge them with a crime in district court, the local District Attorney’s office has the power to prosecute those cases, divert the accused to a program or drug treatment, or dismiss the case altogether.

Can a district attorney in Georgia make an arrest?

In Georgia, DA’s investigators are prohibited from exercise a power of arrest unless they are sworn by another law enforcement agency. I gather that this is to prevent DAs from having their own police departments. Typically sheriffs swear in the investigators for prosecutors as deputies, but I know of at least one sheriff who refused to do it.

Is it legal for a DA to make an arrest?

No DA has a legal ‘right’ nor the legal power to arrest. They may issue a summons and have an authorized peace officer perform an arrest, if necessary, but the DA, ADA or any other attorney has that power (nor right), except as a private citizen (citizens’s arrest) when not in an official capacity.

Does a district attorney have a legal right to arrest?

Even looking at this question from ‘across the pond’ – I know a DA has no more legal power to arrest someone than any other ‘civilian’. The only people with the authority of arrest – are sworn law enforcement officers. No. A district attorney is not a police officer. S/he can authorize an arrest but an arrest may only be made by a sworn officer.

What can a district attorney do to you?

That means they may need to hire an investigator to gather evidence that the District Attorney’s office doesn’t have. There are also situations where District Attorneys can take people’s property, including money, even if the person hasn’t been convicted of a crime.