special counsel
Appointed legal investigator
A special counsel is an attorney appointed to investigate matters where normal prosecutors might have conflicts of interest, particularly cases involving government officials or politically sensitive situations.
In the United States, the term typically refers to lawyers appointed by the Department of Justice to conduct independent investigations, such as those into alleged misconduct by presidents or their associates.
The attorney general appointed a special counsel to investigate the matter.
The role carries significant autonomy to pursue evidence and bring charges without direct oversight from political appointees.
Writ requiring testimony
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- witnessOne who attests
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
deposition · affidavit · grand jury · discovery · cross-examination · hearing · prosecution · plea deal
Thorough examination or tool
- inquiryRequest for information
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- reviewCritical written assessment
analysis · assessment · fact-finding · obstruction · collusion · conspiracy · corruption · fraud
Formal candidate selection
- designationFormal name or title
- selectionChosen item or items
- commissionPayment for services rendered
- assignmentAllocated work or duty
mandate · authorization · empowerment · delegation · confirmation · sworn in · tenure · removal
Conclusions from investigation
- conclusionsJudgments reached through reasoning
- recommendationsProposed courses of action
- redactionsEdited-out sensitive content
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
declassified · executive summary · volume · appendix · release · publication · disclosure · testimony
Obligation for one's actions
- transparencyState of being see-through
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- watchdogGuard or monitor
ethics · protocol · congressional oversight · inspector general · Justice Department · attorney general · checks and balances · constraints
subpoena
Writ requiring testimony
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- witnessOne who attests
evidence · deposition · affidavit · grand jury · discovery · cross-examination · hearing · prosecution · plea deal · immunity
probe
Thorough examination or tool
- inquiryRequest for information
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
review · analysis · assessment · fact-finding · obstruction · collusion · conspiracy · corruption · fraud · misconduct
nomination
Formal candidate selection
- designationFormal name or title
- selectionChosen item or items
- commissionPayment for services rendered
assignment · mandate · authorization · empowerment · delegation · confirmation · sworn in · tenure · removal · termination
findings
Conclusions from investigation
- conclusionsJudgments reached through reasoning
- recommendationsProposed courses of action
- redactionsEdited-out sensitive content
classified · declassified · executive summary · volume · appendix · release · publication · disclosure · testimony · briefing
accountability
Obligation for one's actions
- transparencyState of being see-through
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- complianceAdhering to requirements
watchdog · ethics · protocol · congressional oversight · inspector general · Justice Department · attorney general · checks and balances · constraints · guidelines
- investigationsinvestigation report, audit, investigation, review, FBI investigation
- legal professionalslawyer, attorney, barrister, solicitor, judge
- appointeesappointee, nominee, designee, ambassador, cabinet secretary
- Federal JusticeFBI, DEA, federal prosecutor, federal prosecutors, federal indictment
- Government Lawyersattorney general, district attorney, public prosecutor, prosecutor, solicitor general
- Investigative BodiesFBI, CIA, DEA, ATF, NSA
special counselU.S. Attorney
Top federal district lawyer
general counsel · district attorney · public defender · defense attorney · in-house counsel
special, counsel, specials, specially, specialty, speciality, specialize, specialise, specialized