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Right Person. Right Charge. Right Time.

Click to play the Right Person, Right Charge, Right Time videoA short clip that explains the CPS' work in respect of 'charging'. Since 2003 it has been a legal requirement for the CPS to make charging decisions in more complex and contested cases.

A High Quality Prosecution Service

Deliver a high quality prosecution service that brings offenders to justice, helps reduce both crime and the fear of crime and thereby promote public confidence in the rule of law through the consistent, fair and independent review of cases and through their fair, thorough and firm presentation at court.

Home » Your CPS » Introduction » Modernising Charging

Modernising Charging and CPS Direct

Working closely with police colleagues as The Prosecution Team, Statutory Charging has been operating successfully across all CPS and police Force Areas since 2006.

Operating at the very heart of the criminal justice system, CPS prosecutors are responsible for determining the charge in the more serious and complex cases; building strong cases from the start. Police officers are provided with "real time" access to CPS prosecutors for advice and charging decisions through enhanced IT and telephony; whilst retaining the option to seek face-to-face advice in those cases that warrant it.

An integral part of Statutory Charging is CPS Direct, a national out-of-hours telephone service that allows police to access Charging advice through the night and at weekends, 365 days a year. CPS Direct is, in effect, a 'virtual' 14th Area, headed by a CCP.

The Prosecution Team approach to Charging has resulted in a reduction in the rate of discontinuance and an increased number of guilty pleas, reducing the burden on the courts and, most importantly, providing a better service to the victims and witnesses involved in each case.