The essential functions of prosecution are the same in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the United States. In each country, prosecutors have three major tasks: first, they must decide whether to bring criminal charges; second, they must properly state the charge and place it before the proper judicial authorities; and third, they must present evidence to the court intended to prove the charge. In each country the prosecution is, theoretically, on an equal footing with the defense. The Anglo-American systems place the entire burden of proving a criminal charge on the prosecution. Despite these similarities, American and English methods of prosecution are profoundly different. The key to the difference is in the American district attorney; neither England nor Northern Ireland has a comparable figure, as prosecutions are conducted by the police; however, Scotland has an independent prosecutor. In the American and Scottish systems, private prosecutions are not permitted. The appointment of a legal advocate in England, using the Scottish system as a basis, is recommended. Ten references are included. Ten references are included.