Both are prosecutors, the difference is their employer. A district attorney is a prosecutor who works for the County and brings criminal cases in a state or county court charging violations of state laws. An Assistant United States Attorney is a prosecutor who works for the federal government and brings criminal cases in federal court charging violations of federal law. Some crimes are violations of both federal and state law. In that case, it is possible to be prosecuted in state and federal court for the same conduct. When picking a lawyer to represent you, it is important to make sure that the lawyer has experience in the court where you are charged. There are many differences between federal and state court. The lawyers at McKenzie Scott appear frequently in both state and federal courts, and have deep experience in both arenas. Our breadth of experience gives us the confidence and knowledge to advocate for our clients regardless of who is prosecuting the case.