prosecutor / accuser
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prosecutor
A person who officially accuses someone of a crime in a court proceeding. In the German legal system, this is usually the public prosecutor.
Der Ankläger forderte eine mehrjährige Haftstrafe für den Angeklagten.
The prosecutor demanded a prison sentence of several years for the defendant.
accuser
In a figurative sense, a person who publicly or privately accuses someone else of a moral or other wrongdoing.
In der hitzigen Debatte übernahm er die Rolle des schärfsten Anklägers der Regierung.
In the heated debate, he took on the role of the government's harshest accuser.
'Der Ankläger' (the prosecutor/accuser) belongs to a word family around the verb 'anklagen' (to accuse/to indict). The action is 'die Anklage' (the accusation/indictment), the person carrying it out is 'der Ankläger' (the prosecutor/accuser), and the accused person is 'der Angeklagte' (the defendant).
Der Richter hörte sich die Argumente von Ankläger und Verteidiger an.
The judge listened to the arguments of the prosecutor and the defense attorney.
In a legal context, typical verbs for the prosecutor are 'fordern' (to demand), 'beweisen' (to prove), and 'plädieren' (to plead/argue). He often demands a specific sentence.
Der Ankläger forderte eine hohe Geldstrafe.
The prosecutor demanded a large fine.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If it is not about a court, but about a debate, morality, or politics, it usually refers to the role of a moral critic.
In der Diskussion über den Umweltschutz wurde er zum schärfsten Ankläger der Industrie.
In the discussion about environmental protection, he became the industry's harshest accuser.
public prosecutor
Both words can refer to a person who represents the accusation in court in criminal proceedings. „Staatsanwalt“ names the specific state office, while „Ankläger“ describes the procedural role more generally. „Staatsanwalt“ is appropriate when referring to the state lawyer; „Ankläger“ is suitable when only the function is being emphasized.
Der Ankläger legte dem Gericht die Vorwürfe gegen den Beschuldigten dar.
The prosecutor presented the allegations against the accused to the court.
Der Staatsanwalt vertrat im Strafverfahren die Anklage für den Staat.
The public prosecutor represented the state in bringing the charges in the criminal proceedings.
