A large, simple wooden desk inside a formal, governmental office. A prominent wooden gavel rests prominently on the desk next to a seal depicting the scales of justice.

fiscalía

fis-ca-LÍ-a

nounfB2

prosecutor's office?the governmental institution,District Attorney's Office?US context

Also:public prosecutor's department?formal legal body

📝 In Action

La fiscalía presentó pruebas contundentes contra el acusado.

The prosecutor's office presented compelling evidence against the accused.

El caso fue transferido a la Fiscalía General.

The case was transferred to the Attorney General's Office.

Trabaja en la fiscalía investigando crímenes financieros.

She works in the District Attorney's office investigating financial crimes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Ministerio Público (Public Ministry)

Common Collocations

abrir una investigación en la fiscalía – to open an investigation in the prosecutor's office
la fiscalía anticorrupción – the anti-corruption prosecutor's office

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Since 'fiscalía' refers to an office or institution, it is always feminine, requiring feminine articles and adjectives: 'la fiscalía', 'una fiscalía fuerte'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing the Office and the Person

Mistake: "Using 'fiscalía' when you mean the person. E.g., 'El fiscalía es inteligente.'"

Correction: Use 'el fiscal' (the prosecutor) for the person, and 'la fiscalía' for the institution. 'El fiscal es inteligente.'

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Contexts

This word is almost exclusively used in formal, legal, or governmental discussions. For everyday crimes, you might simply use 'la policía' or 'la justicia'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: fiscalía

Question 1 of 1

If you read that 'la fiscalía' has issued a warrant, what kind of organization are we talking about?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

fiscal(prosecutor / related to taxes) - noun/adjective

fiscalizar(to audit or inspect) - verb

fiscalmente(fiscally / legally) - adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'la fiscalía' and 'el juzgado'?

The 'fiscalía' is the office that investigates crimes and argues the case against the accused (the prosecution). 'El juzgado' (the court) is the physical place and the judge's office where the trial takes place and the ultimate decision is made.

Does 'fiscalía' always relate to crime?

While most commonly associated with criminal investigation, 'fiscalía' broadly refers to the state's legal representation. In some specialized uses, it can refer to an office dealing with tax or financial oversight on behalf of the government, though the criminal prosecution meaning is far more typical.