FAQs
Have you got a question about the Criminal Justice System? If so, use the 'contact us' link on the left to get in touch, and we'll do our best to find the answer.
- What is the Criminal Justice System?
- Which organisations make up the Criminal Justice System?
- What is the Local Criminal Justice Board?
- Isn't a community order a soft option?
- I witnessed a crime and I've got to give evidence in court. What will happen?
- I was burgled recently. Will I be told what's happening with the case?
Q. What is the Criminal Justice System?
A. The Criminal Justice System is one of the major public services in the country and is responsible for creating safer communities by preventing and detecting more crime, responding better to the needs of victims and witnesses and punishing and rehabilitating more offenders.
Q. Which organisations make up the Criminal Justice System?
A. The Criminal Justice System is made up of the Police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Her Majesty's Courts Service, HM Prison Service, the National Probation Service and Youth Offending Teams. These agencies also work closely with other partners such as Victim Support and local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships.
Q. What is the Local Criminal Justice Board?
A. There are 42 Local Criminal Justice Boards in England and Wales, and they are made up of the chief officers of all the CJS agencies. They are accountable for local targets and working together to provide an improved service to the public.
Q. Isn't a community order a soft option?
A. Far from it. A community sentence combines punishment with a purpose - seeking to change behaviours and tackle the problems that may make an offender commit crime.On a community sentence, offenders can not hide from the problems that may have contributed to their offending and they are encouraged to deal with these issues. This may include unemployment, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse and poor social skills. In addition, many offenders have poor numeracy and literacy skills and have little or no qualifications. Community sentences have changed and since April 2005, courts have been using a new single Community Order which comes with a range of up to 12 requirements. The Community Order can offer a menu of interventions and levels of supervision which can be individually tailored to match the risk, need and seriousness of the offending – ultimately designed for that offender to reduce the likelihood of their re-offending. Requirements include compulsory unpaid work, participation in any specified activity such as Skills For Life tuition, as well as accredited programmes around tackling domestic violence and abuse, drink driving and drug dependency. Curfews, exclusions and residence orders can also be part of the order, as well as prohibition from certain activities. For more information, visit www.nyprobation.org.uk or call 01609 778644.
Q. I witnessed a crime and I've got to give evidence in court. What will happen?
A. Going to court as a witness or as the victim of a crime can be a worrying experience, particularly if it is your first time and you don't know what to expect. The Witness Service helps witnesses, victims, their families and friends before, during and after a hearing. It is run by Victim Support, and there is a Witness Service in every Crown and magistrates' court in the country. When you arrive at court you should report to the reception desk and give the name of the defendant (cases are listed under the defendant’s name) and the letter asking you to come to court. Usually you will be met by a member of the Witness Service and, depending on who has asked you to attend, a representative from the Prosecution or Defence. When it is your time to give evidence an usher will collect you and take you to the witness box. You will then be asked to take the oath. This means you have to swear to tell the truth on the holy book of your religion. If you prefer, you can “affirm”, that is to promise to tell the truth. If you are a witness for the prosecution, the prosecution lawyer will ask you questions first, followed by questions from the defence. If you are a witness for the defence, you will be questioned by the defence lawyer first, then the prosecution lawyer. This is known as cross- examination. For more detailed information about appearing in court, visit http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/witness/ or to find out more about the Witness Service and the work of Victim Support, visit www.victimsupport.org or call the Victim Care Unit on 0845 071 0871.
Q. I was burgled recently. Will I be told what's happening with the case?
A. Yes. The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime was launched in April 2006. Under the code, the police will notify a victim at various points of the process, including if there will be no investigation, if a suspect is arrested and charged, or released with no further action, when court hearings are set to take place, what any bail conditions are and any results. If no suspect is arrested, charged or subject to other non court based disposal, the police must notify the victim of progress of the case on at least a monthly basis. Each of the criminal justice agencies that makes up the Criminal Justice Board, along with other partners, has a duty to victims of crime. You should be updated at every stage of the criminal justice process, no matter what the outcome. If you don’t think you’ve had the support, information and advice set out in the code, you have a right to complain. Visit the downloads section of this site for a guide to the code of practice.