{"id":376940,"date":"2024-01-30T13:27:21","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T18:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/virginia-law\/virginia-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2024-01-30T13:27:21","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T18:27:21","slug":"virginia-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/virginia-law\/virginia-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"Virginia District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Virginia District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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A Virginia Commonwealth Attorney is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case. This is the official who represents the government in prosecuting criminal offenses. Other states call them district attorneys (D.A.s). But regardless of the name, they serve the same functions. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The following article will get you up to speed on the work of prosecutors. It also provides a directory of Virginia commonwealth attorneys by county.
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What Does the Prosecutor Do?<\/h2>\r\n

Prosecutors work closely with law enforcement in collecting evidence against a criminal defendant. It’s also their job to get evidence admitted at trial<\/a>. They decide what charges to pursue and when to negotiate a plea deal. These decisions are made based on prosecutorial discretion<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n

If you’re facing criminal charges, remember that it’s not the prosecutor’s job to protect your rights. Criminal justice in the U.S. uses an adversarial system<\/a>, and it’s up to you and your defense attorney to fight for your constitutional rights. <\/p>\r\n

Virginia Attorney General<\/h2>\r\n

The Attorney General’s<\/a> (A.G.) office represents the state in litigation. It also advocates on behalf of Virginia residents. <\/p>\r\n

Attorneys general oversee the administration of the criminal justice system in their jurisdiction. Underneath them, commonwealth attorneys handle the administration of criminal law and the system behind it within their respective jurisdictions.<\/p>\r\n

After charges have been filed, the main prosecutorial part of a commonwealth attorney’s job begins. The commonwealth attorneys will, from time to time, make appearances in circuit courts in their district. They will present evidence to a court. They’ll try to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt<\/a> that the defendant is guilty. They’ll pursue certain penalties and sentences.<\/p>\r\n

Attorneys general and commonwealth attorneys handle prosecutions of all criminal offenses within their respective jurisdictions. Examples of these offenses are the following:<\/p>\r\n