What ethical challenges do prosecutors face and what might lead them to misconduct? What constitutes prosecutorial misconduct?

What will be an ideal response?


The prosecutor's primary duty is to enforce criminal law. This means if they discover facts that suggest the accused is innocent, they must bring this information to the attention of the court. The main ethical conundrum prosecutors face is that their supervisors are often pressuring them to obtain a guilty verdict, which they must balance with their role as a public official ensuring that justice is done. This conflict can lead to prosecutorial misconduct. This misconduct can include concealing evidence, misrepresenting evidence, or influencing juries by impugning the character of opposing witnesses. Courts are also concerned with prosecutors making disruptive statements in court, failing to adhere to sentence recommendations pursuant to a plea bargain, and making public statements harmful to the state's case that are not constitutionally protected under the First Amendment. One form of misconduct also concerns prosecutors using their discretion in a vindictive manner to punish defendants who exercise their legal rights.

Criminal Justice

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Which of the following is a social-cultural structural theory?

A. learning theory B. social disorganization theory C. social control theory D. labeling theory

Criminal Justice

One who acts, not intending harm, but with complete disregard for the rights and safety of others, causing harm to result, is:

a. reckless. b. negligent. c. careless. d. premeditated.

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Which Supreme Court case redefined the "fleeing felon rule"?

A. Riverside v. McLaughlin B. Tennessee v. Garner C. Draper v. United States D. Graham v. Connor

Criminal Justice

Ruth Ann Triplett and G. Roger Jarjoura referred to reactions by official agents of the justice system to illegal behaviors as ________

A) subjective tags
B) formal labels
C) objective tags
D) informal labels

Criminal Justice