In Canada's legal system, the Crown refers to the government's authority derived from the monarch, particularly in criminal proceedings. A Crown Attorney (also called Crown Prosecutor or Crown Counsel) is the lawyer who represents the government in prosecuting criminal cases. Unlike private lawyers who represent individual clients, Crown Attorneys represent the public interest and the state. Their role is not simply to obtain convictions but to ensure justice is served, which includes disclosing evidence to the defence and presenting cases fairly. Crown Attorneys work within the provincial or federal prosecution services, handling everything from minor offences to serious crimes.