prokuratuur

Prokuratuur is a term used in several Baltic and Central European languages to denote the state institution responsible for public prosecution and legal supervision. It refers to the national prosecutor's office that acts as the principal legal representative of the state in criminal matters and oversees investigations carried out by police and other authorities. The exact powers and structure vary by country, but the concept generally rests on ensuring legality, impartiality, and professional standards in the enforcement of criminal law.

Common functions include directing and supervising criminal investigations to ensure legality and proportionality, deciding whether to initiate or terminate prosecutions, and presenting cases in court on behalf of the state. The office may also provide legal opinions to government agencies, supervise compliance with human rights norms, and participate in international cooperation against cross-border crime.

Organizationally, the prosecutor's office is usually centralized under a national head—often titled Prosecutor General or Chief Prosecutor—with regional or local offices and a corps of prosecutors. While it is part of the state's justice system, the office is designed to operate with a degree of independence from the police and political authorities to safeguard the objectivity of prosecutions. Accountability typically arises through constitutional provisions, statutory oversight, and parliamentary or judicial review.

In several Baltic and Central European countries, the term is Prokuratūra or its local form, such as Prokuratūra in Latvia and Lithuania and Prokuratura in Poland.

See also: Prosecution service, Prosecutor's Office, Attorney General.