In criminal law, who prosecutes crimes?

• A. Judge
• B. Defendant
• C. Plaintiff
• D. Prosecutor

Answer: (D)

In criminal law, the government prosecutes crimes. The person who does this is the prosecutor, a government attorney who represents the state or the people. The prosecutor files charges, leads the case in court, presents evidence, questions witnesses, and argues for a conviction or a plea outcome on behalf of the government. The judge oversees the proceedings, ensuring rules are followed and ruling on legal matters, but does not prosecute. The defendant is the person accused and must defend against the charges. The plaintiff, by contrast, is a term from civil cases—it's the party who brings a civil claim, not a criminal case. So the prosecutor is the one who prosecutes crimes.