prosecute

Prosecute is a verb meaning to institute or conduct legal proceedings against a person or organization accused of a crime, typically by a public authority, and to pursue the case in court. In criminal law, the prosecution represents the state or the public interest and seeks a conviction or other disposition such as a plea or verdict of guilt or innocence. The term is most commonly used in reference to criminal cases, though some jurisdictions distinguish the act from civil actions, which are usually described as lawsuits or civil prosecutions.

Etymology traces prosecute to Latin prosequi, “to follow forward,” via Old French prosecuter. The sense evolved from carrying a matter forward in legal proceedings to the specific act of bringing charges and presenting evidence in court.

Process and standards: In many systems, charges are brought through an information filed by prosecutors or an indictment returned by a grand jury or equivalent body. The prosecutions’ burden of proof in criminal cases is typically “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Prosecutors decide which charges to file, whether to pursue plea bargains, and whether to drop cases, subject to legal and ethical constraints. They must often disclose exculpatory evidence to the defense and are responsible for ensuring fair procedures.

Scope and variation: Jurisdictional differences exist in who may prosecute and under what procedures. Some places permit private prosecutions under certain conditions, while others restrict prosecution to designated public offices. The concept of prosecution also appears in international law, where national or international bodies pursue individuals for crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In summary, to prosecute is to carry legal action against an alleged offender, a central function of criminal justice systems intended to determine guilt and assign appropriate penalties within established legal standards.