FUTURE OF THE CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE IN ENGLAND AND WALES (FROM RESOURCE MATERIAL SERIES NO. 42, P 53-66, 1992, SEE -- NCJ-147772)

• NCJ Number: 147775
• Author(s): R J Chronnell
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

This analysis of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) established in 1986 in England and Wales focuses on reforms that might strengthen the system and probable future changes in the CPS.

Abstract

The CPS is firmly established as an independent agency in the criminal justice system. In the future, prosecutors will probably have increased discretion, just as they now do in many other European countries. Along with this increased discretion must be an increase in the prosecutor's power to call for papers from the police. In addition, the responsibility for cautioning should be removed from the police and given to the CPS. The CPS should have the power to refer offenders and divert them from the criminal justice process, using the Probation Service as the point of referral. The prosecutors should also be subject to checks and balances that control their discretion. Additional recommendations