Question

2. What would be some of the drawbacks of having the victims of a crime, rather than the state (through its public officials), prosecute officials?

Answer 1

For starters, some victims would be too scared to prosecute people due to threats or fear of retribution. Many people could go unpunished this way. Another big thing would be that criminals could hurt anyone who could prosecute them, so there wouldn't be a victim that could do it.