Murder Investigation in the United States

• In Event: Murder Investigation: Comparison between South Korea and the United States

Abstract

The path from when a victim is murdered to when a killer is convicted can be direct or convoluted. But, the prosecutor’s role is crucial to both. Statutory provisions often dictate the role of the prosecutor and the procedure to be taken in both investigation, charging the crime and trial of the perpetrator. The much talked about ‘prosecutorial discretion’ is often very limited or non-existent in many prosecutions. The role of the prosecutor will be presented based upon statutory and common law and in actual practice on a daily basis. Concentration will be on statutory authority and limitations of prosecution; as well as discretionary decisions in the prosecution process.

Author

• Jeffrey Klingfuss, Mississippi Attorney General Office