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Myth Busters: Prosecutors as Disinterested Public Servants

One of many myths about prosecutors is this: They are humble, disinterested public servants.  And so, it is poor form for a lawyer to accuse a prosecutor of filing a high-profile case in an effort to win a promotion or to gain publiclity for a move to a lucrative private sector job.  "Prosecutors," we are told, "have one duty only.  That duty is to 'do justice.'"  All myths have psychological motivations.  Why the prosecutor myth exists is hard to say.  Perhaps judges must tell themselves that prosecutors are disinterested to keep faith in the system.This Washington Post report, however, should bust the myth:The U.S. attorney's offices in Alexandria and Manhattan are embroiled in intense competition over the opportunity to prosecute Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept...continue to full post

Full post as published by Crime & Federalism on August 04, 2009 (boomark / email).