What Does District Attorney (DA) Mean? A district attorney (DA) is a top prosecutor in a given jurisdiction and is typically appointed by the state or county through an election process. The DA is in charge of overseeing the prosecution of criminal cases and acts as the chief law enforcement officer in the jurisdiction. DAs handle the development of criminal cases, negotiate indictments and plea deals, and represent the state in court when necessary. As the head of the criminal justice system, the DA’s primary responsibility is to ensure that justice is served and that individuals who break the law are held accountable. It is the DA’s job to review criminal cases, evaluate legal evidence, file motions, and oversee grand jury investigations. The DA’s office may also offer additional guidance and supportive services to crime victims, witnesses, and their families. In the United States, there are different levels of prosecutors and different district attorney’s offices. For example, at the federal level, prosecutors are employed in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. At the state level, they can be employed in the state Attorney General’s Office or in a District Attorney’s office. Depending on the jurisdiction, the DA’s authority may extend to juvenile and family court, immigration or other specialized courts. The DA is an important component of the criminal justice system, as they ensure the fair and equal application of the law. In recent years, DAs have taken a progressive role in advocating for reform to help reduce mass incarceration, such as implementing alternatives to incarceration and diversion programs for minor offenses, and initiatives to reduce racial disparities in sentencing.