lead the prosecution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead the prosecution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to the act of directing or managing the prosecution of a case in court. Example: "The attorney was chosen to lead the prosecution in the high-profile murder trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He could remain as a special assistant United States attorney to lead the prosecution team.

The New York Times

But he also said he would personally lead the prosecution against Mr. Jackson.

The New York Times

Sullivan was recently hired as a special prosecutor to lead the prosecution of the former Governor of Missouri, who ultimately resigned from office.

Harvard University

Just before the trial, however, Giuliani decided to leave the Commission case in order to lead the prosecution of a municipal corruption scandal.

The New Yorker

Ms. Mauskopf said that she had discussed the case with Mr. Vinegrad and that he was uniquely situated to lead the prosecution in the new trial.

The New York Times

In Brooklyn, United States Attorney Andrew J.Maloney will personally lead the prosecution at a trial if Gotti is indicted there again, this time on RICO charges that he is the head of the Gambino family.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Tom Sneddon, the district attorney who led the prosecution, and also failed in an attempt to prosecute Jackson in 1993, denied that this case was motivated by a grudge.

The Guardian

Michael Mansfield QC leads the prosecution against Nigel Lickley QC for the defence.

The Guardian

Jacquelyn Kasulis, who led the prosecution of Martin Shkreli, will become the acting chief of the division.

The New York Times

He has also led the prosecution on a series of al-Qaeda and Islamic State terrorist trials.

The Times

Mr. Hynes, who personally led the prosecution team, said the motive appeared to be simple greed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to highlight the proactive role of a specific person or team in guiding the legal process against a defendant, especially when emphasizing their expertise or strategic influence.

Common error

Avoid using past or future tenses inappropriately. "Led the prosecution" indicates a completed action, while "will lead the prosecution" refers to a future event. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timeline of the legal proceedings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead the prosecution" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of directing a legal case against a defendant. It indicates a role of authority and responsibility in managing the legal proceedings. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lead the prosecution" refers to the act of directing and managing a legal case against a defendant. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. The phrase is generally neutral in register and conveys information about the roles and responsibilities within the judicial system. While this expression is effective and understandable, consider synonyms like "spearhead the prosecution" or "direct the prosecution" for slight variations in emphasis. Ensure that the chosen verb tense accurately reflects the timeline of the legal proceedings to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spearhead the prosecution

Replaces "lead" with "spearhead", emphasizing initiation and driving force.

head the prosecution

Substitutes "lead" with "head", focusing on the position of authority.

direct the prosecution

Replaces "lead" with "direct", highlighting the act of controlling the course of the legal process.

manage the prosecution

Uses "manage" instead of "lead", emphasizing the administrative and organizational aspects.

oversee the prosecution

Replaces "lead" with "oversee", shifting the focus to supervision and ensuring proper conduct.

be in charge of the prosecution

Rephrases the concept to indicate responsibility and control over the legal proceedings.

take the lead in the prosecution

Adds "take the lead in", providing a more descriptive and emphatic tone to the act of leading.

conduct the prosecution

Replaces "lead" with "conduct", emphasizing the execution and carrying out of the prosecution.

supervise the prosecution

Similar to "oversee", but places more emphasis on the detailed inspection and guidance of the process.

champion the prosecution

Uses "champion" instead of "lead", suggesting strong advocacy and support for the prosecution's goals.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lead the prosecution"?

To "lead the prosecution" means to be the primary attorney or official responsible for directing and managing the legal proceedings against a defendant in a court case. It involves overseeing the gathering of evidence, presenting arguments, and guiding the overall strategy of the case.

What are some synonyms for "lead the prosecution"?

Alternatives include "spearhead the prosecution", "head the prosecution", or "direct the prosecution". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How is "lead the prosecution" different from "assist the prosecution"?

"Lead the prosecution" implies a primary role in directing the case, whereas "assist the prosecution" suggests a supporting role, providing help and resources to the leading attorney.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "lead the prosecution"?

This phrase is suitable in legal, journalistic, and academic contexts when discussing the administration and management of legal cases. It's common in news reports, legal documents, and scholarly articles concerning law and justice.