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Criminal prosecution is often a lengthy procedure undertaken by multiple members of law enforcement. One such member is likely to be the assistant state’s attorney, who works in the state attorney’s office to conduct litigation work. Specific duties for this position are often assigned by the state’s attorney and may include conducting research, taking statements from witnesses and trying cases. Some assistant attorneys work in specific bureaus, such as those devoted to juvenile justice, or specific divisions that relate to one area of crime. In offices where crime is prolific, attorneys may be assigned titles that denote their responsibilities, such as senior or first assistant.

A state’s attorney is an elected official who coordinates investigations for his or her district. Such a district may be delineated by county boundaries or judicial mandates. Sometimes referred to as a city or district attorney, a state’s attorney routinely represents the people in criminal and civil proceedings. He or she often prosecutes charged criminals and acts as the head law enforcement official for a jurisdiction. In this manner, the state attorney’s office works to safeguard the public’s interest.

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