Crown Prosecution Service: Its Organisation and Philosophy (From Role of the Prosecutor -- Report of the International Criminal Justice Seminar held at the London School of Economics and Political Science, January 1987, P 7-18, 1988, J E Hall Williams, ed. -- See NCJ-118587)

• NCJ Number: 118588
• Author(s): D Gandy
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Gower Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was established by the Prosecution of Offences Act of 1985 to be independent of the police and to ensure a high-level of decision-making in case preparation.

Abstract

The government had installed a unified national system rather than a decentralized one under local control; England and Wales were divided into 31 areas based largely upon police authority areas, each with a headquarters. The structure of the headquarters and its accompanying legal services, field management, and support services are described. Under the CPS, cases are to be conducted vigorously, without delay, and without improper influence. Sufficiency and quality of evidence, staleness of the offense, penalties, and other considerations of independent prosecution to administer criminal law in the interests of justice are defined.