County
What a district attorney or county prosecutor does
They decide whether to charge a crime under existing law, and how to prosecute it. They do not write the criminal code or sit as the judge.
Sep 10, 2026 · 5 min read · WhyIVote civic explainer
The office
Names vary: district attorney, state’s attorney, county attorney, commonwealth’s attorney. Most are elected by county or judicial district. They prosecute violations of state criminal law in that territory.
Federal crimes belong to the U.S. Attorney, a presidential appointee, not this office.
What they can change
- Charging decisions, plea offers, and which cases go to trial — within ethical and statutory limits.
- Office policy on diversion, bail recommendations, and charging floors.
- Victim services the office is funded to run.
Money they vote on
Office budget from the county or state, not a free-standing tax. They do not pass the county levy.
Who they can help — and who they cannot
Victims and witnesses in criminal cases the office handles. They cannot rewrite sentencing statutes, fire a sheriff, or decide a civil lawsuit between neighbors. Judges still rule on law and evidence.
