Crown attorney
Prosecutions in Canada are conducted in the name of the Crown | |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms |
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Occupation type | Profession |
Activity sectors | Civil service, practice of law |
| Description | |
Education required | Law degree (J.D./LL.B./B.C.L./LL.L.) Bar exam |
Related jobs | Defence counsel, lawyer, judge |
Criminal prosecutions in Canada are handled by public officials at both the federal and the provincial level. The names for the position vary with the jurisdiction, such as Crown prosecutor, Crown attorney, and Crown counsel.
The officials represent the state, hence are generally referred to as the Crown in court. Although the criminal law is enacted by the federal Parliament, most prosecutions under the two main criminal statutes, the Criminal Code and the Youth Criminal Justice Act, are conducted by provincial prosecutors. Criminal prosecutions under other federal statutes, such as the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Firearms Act, are generally (but not exclusively) conducted by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Provincial prosecutors are also responsible for conducting prosecutions under provincial laws, such as securities laws and wildlife laws.
Prosecutors in Canada are public servants, employed by the relevant government. They are not elected. There are similarities between this role and the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales and the procurator fiscal in Scotland.