Within a county, the district attorney serves a dual role. First and foremost, the district attorney is the official who represents the “State” in all criminal prosecutions. This role is facilitated by the DA’s office; made up of assistant and deputy district attorneys who share in the case load of prosecutions.

The other role of a district attorney is as the chief law enforcement officer of a given county. In this capacity, the district attorney ensures that the local law enforcement follow proper procedures in criminal investigations, enforcement of the law, and the handling of suspects.

Because of this great responsibility, the DA must have several important attributes. Firstly, the DA must possess keen forethought, reasoning and problem solving capabilities. The district attorney must understand the law and how it applies to each individual case—and from that, formulate an indictment against the parties involved.

The role of district attorney is very important in any area. The ability of the DA to efficiently and justly enforce the law makes for a safer community. It is important for that district attorney avoids the distractions of sentimentality as well as those of vengeance. The character and virtue of law enforcement is established at the top and pervades the entire enforcement structure. It is the district attorney who sets the tone and culture of whether or not this system is just or unjust.