prosecution

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Know the role and function of the four organs of the International Criminal Court: the Presidency, the Judicial Divisions, the Office of the Prosecutor, and the Registry

Watch the prosecution and defense lawyers speaking on the Katanga case at the International Criminal Court

prosecution

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July 13, 2026

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Know the role and function of the four organs of the International Criminal Court: the Presidency, the Judicial Divisions, the Office of the Prosecutor, and the Registry — Know the role and function of the four organs of the International Criminal Court: the Presidency, the Judicial Divisions, the Office of the Prosecutor, and the Registry Learn about the four organs of the International Criminal Court: the Presidency, the Judicial Divisions, the Office of the Prosecutor, and the Registry.

Prosecution refers to the legal side that argues an accused person is guilty of a crime. This involves lawyers who present the case against the defendant in court. The prosecution's role is to bring alleged offenders to justice on behalf of the state.12

In criminal law, the prosecution initiates cases and must prove guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt". This differs from civil law, where private parties initiate suits and must prove liability by a "preponderance of evidence". The accused has rights, such as the right to a fair trial, legal representation, and to present evidence.34

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crime
The decision to prosecute
In countries where the legal system follows the English common-law tradition, the function of prosecution is usually distinguished from that of investigation and adjudication. In most countries the prosecution is performed by an official who is not part of either the police or the…
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In countries where the legal system follows the English common-law tradition, the function of prosecution is usually distinguished from that of investigation and adjudication. In most countries the prosecution is performed by an official who is not part of either the police or the…
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adversary procedure
In criminal proceedings, the prosecution represents the people at large and has at its disposal the police department with its investigators and laboratories, while the defense must find its own investigative resources and finances. Both sides may command the attendance of witnesses by subpoena. If the defendant is indigent,…
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In criminal proceedings, the prosecution represents the people at large and has at its disposal the police department with its investigators and laboratories, while the defense must find its own investigative resources and finances. Both sides may command the attendance of witnesses by subpoena. If the defendant is indigent,…
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crime laboratory
Crime laboratory issues
…results in favour of the prosecution. Criminal defendants frequently have no access to those public forensic science services and must often rely on private laboratories to analyze evidence for them. Most jurisdictions have some provisions for providing indigent defendants with funds to obtain forensic science services, but often the amount…
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…results in favour of the prosecution. Criminal defendants frequently have no access to those public forensic science services and must often rely on private laboratories to analyze evidence for them. Most jurisdictions have some provisions for providing indigent defendants with funds to obtain forensic science services, but often the amount…
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procedural law
Private prosecution
Private citizens, such as the victim of the offense, are not generally permitted to institute a criminal action, though the law on this point differs among jurisdictions. In the United States private criminal complaints are practically impossible. In England anyone can institute criminal proceedings…
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Private citizens, such as the victim of the offense, are not generally permitted to institute a criminal action, though the law on this point differs among jurisdictions. In the United States private criminal complaints are practically impossible. In England anyone can institute criminal proceedings…
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statute of limitations
…limiting the period within which prosecutions for crimes must be begun are common in civil-law countries and in the United States. In the United States the periods normally are shorter than in continental Europe. As with civil actions, the period prescribed in a criminal statute of limitations does not run…
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…limiting the period within which prosecutions for crimes must be begun are common in civil-law countries and in the United States. In the United States the periods normally are shorter than in continental Europe. As with civil actions, the period prescribed in a criminal statute of limitations does not run…
Read More