special prosecutors
Appointed legal watchdogs
Special prosecutors are lawyers appointed to investigate and potentially prosecute cases where the regular authorities face conflicts of interest—typically when government officials are accused of wrongdoing.
The appointment removes the case from prosecutors who might be reluctant to pursue their own colleagues or superiors.
The attorney general appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the president's campaign.
In U.S. federal law, the role has also been called independent counsel or special counsel.
- watchdogGuard or monitor
- independent counselAppointed investigator of officials
- Department of JusticeFederal legal enforcement agency
- legal authorityPower conferred by law
- investigationFormal examination of facts
obstruction of justice · impeachment · high crimes · subpoena · grand jury · criminal charges · indictment · Robert Mueller · oversight committees · sworn testimony · corruption · government accountability · public inquiries · Saturday Night Massacre · Watergate scandal · executive privilege · testimony · executive oversight
- police reformpolice brutality, police misconduct, body cameras, community oversight, qualified immunity
- oversightoversight committees, oversight board, review, auditors, supervisor
special prosecutorspolitical appointees
Officials chosen by administration
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