public prosecutor's office
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public prosecutor's office
The government authority responsible for criminal prosecution. It conducts investigations and brings charges in court on behalf of the state.
Nach monatelangen Ermittlungen hat die Staatsanwaltschaft Anklage erhoben.
After months of investigations, the public prosecutor's office brought charges.
prosecution
The group of public prosecutors as representatives of the prosecuting authority.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft forderte eine hohe Haftstrafe für den Angeklagten.
The prosecution demanded a long prison sentence for the defendant.
prosecutor's office
The building in which the public prosecutor's office is housed.
Der Zeuge musste heute zur Vernehmung in die Staatsanwaltschaft.
The witness had to go to the prosecutor's office today for questioning.
The word is composed of three parts: 'Staat' (state), 'Anwalt' (lawyer), and the ending '-schaft' (-ship/-hood, institution/group). So it literally describes the institution ('-schaft') of the lawyers who work for the state.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft vertritt die Anklage im Namen des Staates.
The public prosecutor's office represents the prosecution on behalf of the state.
In the context of investigations and court proceedings, 'Staatsanwaltschaft' (public prosecutor's office) is often used with certain verbs: 'die Staatsanwaltschaft ermittelt' (the public prosecutor's office investigates), 'erhebt Anklage' (brings charges), or 'fordert eine Strafe' (demands a sentence).
Die Staatsanwaltschaft fordert eine Freiheitsstrafe von drei Jahren.
The public prosecutor's office is demanding a prison sentence of three years.
The preposition often helps you recognize whether the building is meant ('in die' or 'bei der Staatsanwaltschaft' — to/at the public prosecutor's office). Whether the authority as an institution or the group of people is meant can be inferred from the verb.
Er musste zur Aussage in die Staatsanwaltschaft.
He had to go to the prosecutor's office to give a statement.
charge / prosecution / accusation
In a court case, Staatsanwaltschaft and Anklage can refer to the same side. Staatsanwaltschaft refers to the state representatives acting in the case, while Anklage refers to this side in its role as a party to the proceedings. When referring to the authority or its personnel, use Staatsanwaltschaft; for the party to the proceedings, use Anklage.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft befragt den Zeugen zu seinen Beobachtungen.
The public prosecutors questioned the witness about what he had observed.
Die Anklage befragt den Zeugen zu seinen Beobachtungen.
The prosecution questioned the witness about what he had observed.
