NCJ Number
152130
Date Published
Unknown
Length
24 pages
Annotation
A historical review of prosecutorial functions in Hungary is presented, and the organizational structure of prosecution and the role of prosecutors in criminal and civil proceedings are addressed.
Abstract
The beginnings of the function and organization of public prosecution in Hungary date back to the Middle Ages. The historical evolution of prosecution centered around the emergence of royal chief law officers and municipal attorneys. Hungary's modern prosecutorial organization emerged in the 19th Century. The Royal Public Prosecution had the following structure: crown prosecutor, royal chief prosecutors, and royal prosecutors. After World War II, Hungary's prosecution service was socialist in nature. At the present time, public prosecution is an independent, unified, hierarchical, and centralized state organ. The Chief Public Prosecutor is elected for a 6-year period, the prosecution is independent of the government, and individual prosecutors perform their duties in subordination to the Chief Public Prosecutor. The organizational structure of prosecution follows Hungary's territorial division of public administration and court jurisdiction. Duties, functions, and powers of public prosecution are described, along with the role of prosecutors in criminal and civil cases. The future constitutional position of prosecution in Hungary is discussed.