Opinion ID: 2613197
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: authority and responsibility of the county attorney

Text: In Montana, a county attorney not only directs under what conditions a criminal action [is] commenced, but from the time it begins until it ends his supervision and control is complete, limited only by such restrictions as the law imposes. Halladay v. State Bank of Fairfield (1923), 66 Mont. 111, 118, 212 P. 861, 863. It is not only incumbent upon the county attorney to determine when or when not to prosecute a case, but when the facts of a case support a possible charge of more than one crime, the crime to be charged is a matter of prosecutorial discretion. State v. Booke (1978), 178 Mont. 225, 230, 583 P.2d 405, 408. While prosecuting attorneys have broad discretionary powers, such powers are not without limit. It has been held that a prosecutor should seek justice and not simply an indictment or a conviction. Preston v. State (Alaska 1980), 615 P.2d 594, 601. The duties and responsibilities of a prosecutor are aptly summarized as follows: The prosecutor's role is a unique one within the criminal justice system. Though the [county] attorney must diligently discharge the duty of prosecuting individuals accused of criminal conduct, the prosecutor may not seek victory at the expense of the defendant's constitutional rights. [citations omitted] Thus, the prosecution is obligated to respect the defendant's right to a fair and impartial trial in compliance with due process of law. [citations omitted] Moreover, the prosecutor may not bring criminal charges against an individual unless supported by probable cause, and, once charges are instituted, must reveal to the court any information which negates the existence of probable cause. [citations omitted] ... [T]he role of the prosecutor ... [is not] simply a specialized version of the duty of any attorney not to overstep the bounds of permissible advocacy... In all his activities, his duties are conditioned by the fact that he is the representative not of any ordinary party to a controversy, but of a sovereignty whose obligation to govern impartially is as compelling as its obligation to govern at all... [citations omitted] Thus, the prosecutor must execute the duties of his representative office diligently and fairly, avoiding even the appearance of impropriety that might reflect poorly on the state. People v. Trevino (Cal. 1985), 704 P.2d 719, 724-25, overruled on other grounds, People v. Johnson (Cal. 1989), 767 P.2d 1047, 1057. Where the state determines that, in gathering evidence in a criminal case, the defendant's constitutional rights were likely violated and that there is insufficient, untainted evidence remaining on which to continue the prosecution or sustain a conviction, then the furtherance of justice and the integrity of the criminal justice system require the prosecutor to exercise the broad discretion which he or she possesses under the law and to seek dismissal of the charges.