WordNet
n. a prosecuting attorney for a state [syn: state attorney]
Wikipedia
A state's attorney or state attorney is a lawyer representing the interests of the state in a legal proceeding, typically as a prosecutor. It is an official title in the United States, sometimes appointed but most commonly an elected official serving as the chief law enforcement officer of his or her county, circuit, or district. The offices of district attorney, commonwealth's attorney, county attorney, county prosecutor, or prosecuting attorney are more frequently the case in the United States although South Carolina uses solicitor. Other countries also use or used the term state attorney, like the Boer republics of the Orange Free State (1854–1902) and the South African Republic (1852–1902) in South Africa. In these cases the position corresponded to that of the attorney general in the British judicial system. It is used within the Attorney-General's Department of Sri Lanka.
State's Attorney is a 1932 American Pre-Code drama film made at RKO and starring John Barrymore. George Archainbaud directed and the film could more or less be considered a warm up for Barrymore when he later went to Universal to film the similar Counsellor at Law. Remade in 1937 and 1951 both titled Criminal Lawyer. The story was supposedly based on the life of criminal lawyer William J. Fallon, who defended 126 homicide cases without any convictions.
Usage examples of "state's attorney".
The target of the South Dakota attempt was Elmer Linstad, the state's attorney general.
They reached the place a little after three o'clock, and Joe was introduced to FBI, State's Attorney, State Police.
Like the current President, Fowler was a former state's attorney with an impressive record of law enforcement behind him.
Since completing his term as state's attorney and resuming his private practice, Caine hadn't had time for an hour's relaxation, much less a week's.
You get to hear it on account of now we've got that damn new law on full disclosure, and the defense would get a certified copy of the transcript anyways, and the State's Attorney said it was all right I should do it this way.
The state's attorney doesn't want to look like a bad guy in this story as it unfolds.