What Does the District Attorney Do?

Most people know that the District Attorney's Office prosecutes cases against criminals. What not as many people know is that the District Attorney's Office has several other roles as well.

Prosecution:

The District Attorney's Office can only work on criminal cases that could result in punishments like fines or sending the defendant to jail. Civil cases ­ such as personal injury, property disputes or contractual issues ­ must be handled by private attorneys.

When it is a criminal case, the District Attorney's office takes the information developed by law enforcement about the case and, if the evidence is enough, charges the case and takes it to court.

Where the evidence brought in by law enforcement is not enough to win a case, there are two possibilities:

The District Attorney's Office may decide that there isn't enough information to win the case, and therefore not submit charges.

Or if there is some evidence, and the case seems plausible but more evidence is needed, the District Attorney's office has its own investigators who can pursue the case further.

Prevention:

Prosecuting cases and putting criminals behind bars is one way to make the Pueblo County community safer. The other way ­ and one that is a high priority for this District Attorney ­ is to prevent crime in the first place. Therefore the District Attorney has created a Community Outreach Unit to seek out programs that will help reduce crime before the fact, rather than only prosecuting crimes after they occur.

Education:

Another part of the District Attorney's role is to educate both the public and law enforcement agencies on ways to prevent crime, ways to work together to address crime when it occurs, and ways to avoid becoming a victim of crime.

Training:

In order for the District Attorney's office to be effective in prosecuting crimes, it needs to get evidence from law enforcement officers that will build a compelling case. Thus the District Attorney's Office conducts periodic training sessions for law enforcement officers on how best to work together to combat crime.

Legal Advice:

Any elected official can ask the District Attorney to provide them with legal advice on questions regarding their official duties. The District Attorney also provides law enforcement agencies with legal advice related to criminal investigation, search , seizure, and arrest. The District Attorney is also the legal advisor to the Grand Jury.

Legislation:

The District Attorney works with legislative bodies at local and state levels to help shape legislation that is in the best interest of public safety.