der  Staatsanwalt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃtaːtsˈanvalt/

🏛️ What is a Staatsanwalt?

The term der Staatsanwalt refers to a male legal professional who acts as the representative of the public prosecution office (Staatsanwaltschaft) within the German legal system. His main task is the prosecution of criminal offenses. He leads the investigation (Ermittlungsverfahren), files public charges (öffentliche Klage) in court if necessary, and represents the prosecution during the criminal trial.

It's a job title for a male person. The female equivalent is die Staatsanwältin.

🚨 Important: The article is always der, as it refers to a male person or the role itself (using the generic masculine form in German).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Staatsanwalt

The noun der Staatsanwalt is masculine and follows the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination). This means it adds the ending -en in all cases except for the nominative singular.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Staatsanwalt verlas die Anklageschrift. (The prosecutor read out the indictment.)
2. Die Aussage des Zeugen interessierte den Staatsanwalten sehr. (The witness's testimony greatly interested the prosecutor.)
3. Das Plädoyer des Staatsanwalten war überzeugend. (The prosecutor's closing argument was convincing.)
4. Die Richter hörten dem Staatsanwalten aufmerksam zu. (The judges listened attentively to the prosecutor.)
5. Mehrere Staatsanwälte arbeiteten an dem komplexen Fall. (Several prosecutors worked on the complex case.)

🗣️ Everyday Application

The term Staatsanwalt is primarily used in a legal context. It is mentioned in connection with:

• Investigative proceedings (Ermittlungsverfahren): Der Staatsanwalt leitet die Ermittlungen. (The prosecutor leads the investigations.)
• Indictments (Anklageerhebung): Der Staatsanwalt erhebt Anklage gegen den Verdächtigen. (The prosecutor files charges against the suspect.)
• Court hearings (Gerichtsverhandlungen): Der Staatsanwalt fordert eine Freiheitsstrafe. (The prosecutor demands a prison sentence.)

In general language, der Staatsanwalt often symbolically represents the prosecution or the 'punishing hand of the state'.

Distinction: The Richter (judge) delivers the verdict, the Verteidiger (defense attorney) or Rechtsanwalt (lawyer) represents the defendant, and the Staatsanwalt represents the prosecution on behalf of the state.

🧠 Easy Mnemonics

For the article 'der': Remember that the Staats-Anwalt is usually a man (der Mann). The state (der Staat) appoints den lawyer (Anwalt) for this role.

For the meaning: A Staats-Anwalt is an Anwalt (lawyer) who works for the Staat (state) to prosecute crimes. He brings the Anklage (accusation) for the Staat.

↔️ Related Words: der Staatsanwalt

⚠️ Don't confuse with: Richter (judge - decides the case), Rechtsanwalt (lawyer - general term for qualified lawyers, can have various roles).

😂 A Little Chuckle

Richter zum Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die Parkuhr aufgebrochen?"
Angeklagter: "Der Staatsanwalt hat mir geraten, mich selbst zu verteidigen, und ich brauchte dringend Kleingeld für den Kaffeeautomaten im Gericht!"

Translation:
Judge to the defendant: "Why did you break open the parking meter?"
Defendant: "The prosecutor advised me to defend myself, and I urgently needed small change for the coffee machine in the courthouse!"

📜 Poetic Words about the Staatsanwalt

Im Saal der ernsten Mienen,
steht der Staatsanwalt, um zu dienen.
Mit Akten, schwer und dicht,
vertritt er Recht und Pflicht.
Er sucht nach Wahrheit, klar und rein,
soll Schuld bewiesen sein.
Für Staat und Ordnung steht er ein,
so muss es wohl im Rechtssaal sein.

Translation:
In the hall of serious faces,
stands the prosecutor, ready to serve.
With files, heavy and dense,
he represents law and duty hence.
He seeks the truth, clear and pure,
if guilt is to be proven sure.
For state and order, he takes a stand,
so must it be in this legal land.

❓ Who am I?

Ich trage oft eine Robe, aber richte nicht.
Ich klage an im Namen des Staates, das ist meine Pflicht.
Vor Gericht vertrete ich die Anklage mit Bedacht.
Wer bin ich, der Straftaten zur Verhandlung gebracht?

Solution: Der Staatsanwalt

Translation:
I often wear a robe, but I do not judge.
I prosecute in the name of the state, that is my duty.
In court, I thoughtfully represent the prosecution.
Who am I, who brings criminal offenses to trial?

Solution: The public prosecutor (der Staatsanwalt)

🧩 Interesting Tidbits

Word Composition:

The word "Staatsanwalt" is composed of:

• Der Staat: Referring to the state authority on whose behalf the action is taken.
• Der Anwalt: Originally a legal advisor or advocate, here in the specific function of the prosecutor.

Female Form:

The correct female form is die Staatsanwältin. The plural forms are Staatsanwälte (men or mixed group) and Staatsanwältinnen (women only).

Hierarchy: Within the public prosecutor's office (Staatsanwaltschaft), there are various ranks, e.g., Staatsanwalt, Oberstaatsanwalt (Senior Public Prosecutor), Generalstaatsanwalt (Prosecutor General).