1. The public prosecutor is the representative of the country, and the procuratorate is responsible for accusing the criminal suspect of criminal acts, which is equivalent to the plaintiff;
2. The lawyer is the agent of the criminal suspect, responsible for proving the innocence or guilt of the criminal suspect, which is equivalent to the defendant;
3. The public prosecutor serves the court and the lawyer serves the criminal suspect or defendant.
The scope of the prosecutor's duties:
1. Prosecuting on behalf of the state: In criminal cases, prosecutors prosecute suspects or defendants on behalf of the state;
2. Supporting public prosecution cases: In court, the public prosecutor is responsible for presenting evidence, cross-examining and debating in court and supporting public prosecution;
3. Supervision of judicial justice: the public prosecutor has the right to supervise the illegal acts in judicial activities to ensure the correct implementation of the law;
4. Participate in legal supervision of non-public prosecution cases: In some specific non-public prosecution cases, prosecutors can participate in supervision to ensure the correct implementation of the law and safeguard the interests of the public.
To sum up, the roles and responsibilities of prosecutors and lawyers are obviously different. The former prosecutes the criminal suspect on behalf of the state, while the latter defends the criminal suspect or defendant. Prosecutors serve courts, while lawyers serve suspects or defendants.
Legal basis:
Responsibilities of all departments of procuratorial organs
Article 4
The duties of the public prosecution department of the procuratorial organ are: to decide whether to prosecute criminal cases, to prosecute on behalf of the state, to supervise the legality of investigation and trial activities, and to prosecute criminal suspects who have not sued.
Criminal procedure law
Article 33
A criminal suspect or defendant may entrust one or two persons as defenders in addition to exercising the right of defense by himself. The following persons may be entrusted as defenders:
(1) lawyers;
(2) A person recommended by a people's organization or the unit to which the criminal suspect or defendant belongs;
(3) Guardians, relatives and friends of criminal suspects and defendants.
A person who has been sentenced to punishment according to law or deprived of or restricted personal freedom shall not act as a defender. A person who has been dismissed from public office or has his lawyer's or notary's practice certificate revoked may not act as a defender, except the guardian or near relative of the criminal suspect or defendant.