small flourish

The king's prosecutor.

420

THE KING’S PROSECUTOR, is a royal officer who holds the title of king’s counsellor, & who represents the prosecution in a jurisdiction royale, be it baillie or seneschalship, provostship, justiceship, or other. [...]

When sworn in they must swear that they will assure justice for both prominent & ordinary people, & for all persons whatever their status, & without exception; that they will follow the King's rule without prejudice to whomsoever; finally that they will receive neither gold nor silver, nor any other gift, as such, other than to eat or drink, & in a small quantity; to no excess, and all to be consumed in a same day. [...]

They are subordinate to the prosecutor general of the superior court governing the courts where they are appointed; that is why when they are referred to in this court, they are known as substitutes to the prosecutor general, although most of them also have their own substitutes; but at their seats they are known as king's prosecutors.

The king's prosecutors pursues at his request all issues of interest to the King or to the public; he renders his decisions on appointed matters that are subject to be communicated to the King's officials.

Source: Diderot, Denis et Jean le Rond d'Alembert, "The king's prosecutor, in l'Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire Raisonné des Sciences, des Arts et des Métiers " (Paris: Briasson et autres, n.d.), tome XIII, page 420.

Return to parent page