prosecutorled

Prosecutorled is a term used to describe a model or practice in criminal justice in which prosecutors take a leading role in directing investigations, deciding charging, and shaping case strategy. In this sense, prosecutorled functions as an adjective applied to investigations or prosecutions where the prosecuting authority exercises primary control over investigative scope, evidence collection authorization, and decision-making, with police or other investigators acting under the oversight or coordination of the prosecutor.

The concept is discussed mainly in policy and academic discussions about reforms to improve accountability, efficiency, and fairness in the pursuit of criminal justice. Proponent arguments emphasize that centralizing leadership in prosecutors can reduce duplication, prevent leaks, ensure consistent charging standards, and align investigation with prosecutorial proof and public interest requirements. Critics warn that too-tight control by prosecutors may risk civil liberties, create incentives for overreach, politicize investigations, or undermine police independence and specialized investigative skills. In practice, prosecutorled approaches may take several forms, from formal joint units to oversight mechanisms where prosecutors guide inquiry plans, authorize specific investigative measures, or assert charging decisions at defined milestones.

Because it is not widely standardized, the term often appears in comparative law discussions, reform proposals, and theoretical analyses rather than official nomenclature in most jurisdictions.

See also: prosecutorial discretion; police–prosecutor collaboration; investigative oversight.