Crown Prosecution Service
Is there enough evidence to convict someone for committing a crime? Is it in the public interest to prosecute that person?
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the Government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the Police in England and Wales.
The CPS:
- Advises the Police on Cases for possible prosecution.
- Determines the charge in all but minor cases once a decision has been made to prosecute.
- Prepares cases for court.
- Presents cases in court.
The CPS exists to ensure that offenders are brought to justice, victims of crime are supported and people feel safer in their communities.
CPS people
People employed by the CPS tend to work in three main areas.
Prosecutors are experienced lawyers responsible for prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the Crown.
Designated caseworkers review and present cases in magistrates' courts, while caseworkers assist prosecutors preparing cases for court.
Meanwhile administrators provide financial, managerial and information technology support.
Principles of the CPS
The decision about whether to go ahead and prosecute a case in court is based on two tests.
The first is the evidential test. Prosecutors must decide if there's enough evidence for the case to stand up in court.
Does it have a realistic chance of conviction? What's the defence case likely to be? Is it likely to affect the prosecution case? Will a jury or a bench of magistrates be more likely than not to convict the defendant?
If the case passes the evidential test, prosecutors must then decide if it's in the public interest to prosecute. Occasionally another course of action is deemed to be better but in most cases, a prosecution will take place.
The CPS will only start or continue a prosecution if a case has passed both tests.
The CPS in Cambridgeshire
The CPS has its main headquarters in London, Birmingham and York but it also has local branches throughout England and Wales.
The main office in Cambridgeshire's based at Justinian House in Huntingdon. There are also CPS sub-offices at the main police stations: Thorpe Wood in Peterborough and Parkside in Cambridge.
The overall aim of the CPS is to deliver a high quality prosecution service that brings offenders to justice and helps reduce both crime and the fear of crime.
It aims to promote public confidence in the justice system through consistent, fair and independent review of cases and through fair, thorough and firm representation in court.