# Many Americans think prosecutors have the final say on local charges

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/many-americans-think-prosecutors-have-the-final-say-on-local-charges/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

No single answer commands a majority on who has the final say over local criminal charges; the prosecutor comes closest at 31%, according to a Verasight survey conducted Oct. 1-11, 2024.

Nearly a quarter name the judge (24%), and just as many say they don't know. Smaller shares point to the police (7%), the grand jury (7%), or the victim of the crime (6%), while almost no one names someone else (1%).

## Topline

In your local community, who has the final say on pursuing criminal charges?

Many Americans think prosecutors have the final say on local charges.

- The prosecutor: 31.4%
- I don't know: 24.3%
- The judge: 24.2%
- The police: 6.8%
- The grand jury: 6.6%
- The victim of the crime: 6.1%
- Someone else: 0.6%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2024-10-01 → 2024-10-11
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.4%
- Module: educ_pol
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://verasight-apsa-2024.tiiny.co#authority-over-pursuing-criminal-charges-in-local-community](https://verasight-apsa-2024.tiiny.co#authority-over-pursuing-criminal-charges-in-local-community)

## Citation

Verasight APSA Omnibus Survey #2024-103, fielded October 1-11, 2024, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.4%.

Canonical question URL: [https://verasight-apsa-2024.tiiny.co#authority-over-pursuing-criminal-charges-in-local-community](https://verasight-apsa-2024.tiiny.co#authority-over-pursuing-criminal-charges-in-local-community)