Prosecutorial discretion generally refers to the authority of a prosecuting officer or agency (United States Attorney or state District Attorney) to decide what if any criminal charges to bring against a person or persons, and what punishment or sentence to seek. Prosecutorial discretion may also be used by a police officer, for example, in deciding whether to issue a driver a speeding citation (ticket) or a warning.

Prosecutors generally have broad authority to make such decisions—subject to the right of the citizens to remove them from office, directly or indirectly, in the voting or election process.

In Connecticut, prosecutorial discretion is the power vested in prosecutors, such as the State's Attorneys, to determine whether or not to bring criminal charges against an individual, and what specific charges to file. This discretion extends to decisions about plea bargains, the severity of charges, and the resources allocated to each case. Prosecutors are expected to exercise this discretion fairly and impartially, guided by considerations of legal merit, public interest, and the likelihood of a conviction. While they have significant autonomy, their decisions can be reviewed by higher authorities within the prosecutorial system and are subject to ethical standards. Additionally, prosecutors in Connecticut are accountable to the public through the electoral process, as they can be removed from office by voters. Police officers also have a form of prosecutorial discretion when deciding whether to issue citations or warnings for minor offenses like speeding. The exercise of prosecutorial discretion in Connecticut is ultimately aimed at achieving justice within the framework of the state's laws and the United States legal system.