special prosecutor

special prosecutor
special prosecutor n: a prosecutor appointed to prosecute particular cases that the regular prosecutor is unable or unqualified to prosecute or for other reasons does not prosecute see also independent counsel

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. . 1996.

special prosecutor
An attorney from outside of the government selected by the Attorney General or Congress to investigate and possibly prosecute a federal government official for wrongdoing in office. The theory behind appointing a special prosecutor is that there is a built-in conflict of interest between the Department of Justice and officials who may have political or governmental connections with that department.
Category: Small Claims Court & Lawsuits

Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. . 2009.


special prosecutor

Webster's New World Law Dictionary. . 2000.

special prosecutor
n.
   an attorney from outside of the government selected by the Attorney General or Congress to investigate and possibly prosecute a federal government official for wrongdoing in office. The theory behind appointing a special prosecutor is that there is a built-in conflict of interest between the Department of Justice and officials who may have political or governmental connections with that department. The most famous special pros- ecutor was law professor Archibald Cox, originally chosen to inves-tigate White House (and President Richard Nixon's) involvement in the Watergate scandal. President Nixon demanded that Attorney General Elliot Richardson fire Cox, who was being aggressive in his investigation, and Richardson resigned rather than comply, as did Assistant Attorney General William Ruckelshaus. Deputy Attorney General Robert Bork finally discharged Cox.

Law dictionary. . 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Special prosecutor — A special prosecutor generally is a lawyer from outside the government appointed by an attorney general or Congress to investigate a government official for misconduct while in office. A reasoning for such an appointment is that the governmental… …   Wikipedia

  • special prosecutor — (formerly) an independent counsel. * * * special prosecutor [special prosecutor] noun (in the US) a special official who can be appointed by the US ↑Attorney General to investigate illegal activities by politicians and government officials. In… …   Useful english dictionary

  • special prosecutor — (formerly) an independent counsel. * * * …   Universalium

  • special prosecutor — Counsel employed to assist the prosecuting attorney in the conduct of a criminal prosecution. 42 Am J1st Pros Atty § 10 …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • Prosecutor — An advocate in court Occupation Activity sectors Law Description …   Wikipedia

  • prosecutor — pros·e·cu·tor / prä si ˌkyü tər/ n 1: a person who institutes a prosecution (as by making an affidavit or complaint charging the defendant) 2: a government attorney who presents the state s case against the defendant in a criminal prosecution… …   Law dictionary

  • special — specially, adv. /spesh euhl/, adj. 1. of a distinct or particular kind or character: a special kind of key. 2. being a particular one; particular, individual, or certain: You d better call the special number. 3. pertaining or peculiar to a… …   Universalium

  • special — spe|cial1 [ speʃl ] adjective *** ▸ 1 different from usual ▸ 2 more than usual ▸ 3 when you care for someone/something ▸ 4 to do with someone/something only ▸ 5 for one purpose etc. 1. ) different from and usually better than what is normal or… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • special — I UK [ˈspeʃ(ə)l] / US adjective *** 1) different from and usually better than what is normal or ordinary The children can only stay up late on special occasions. 2) more than usual Let s all make a special effort to welcome the visitors. Special… …   English dictionary

  • special attorney — See attorney special; special counsel; special prosecutor …   Ballentine's law dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”