The Criminal Justice System
The CPS works in partnership with the police, courts, the Home Office, Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) and other agencies throughout the Criminal Justice System to reduce crime, the fear of crime, and their social and economic costs; to dispense justice fairly and efficiently and to promote confidence in the rule of law.
The CPS's overall aim, which reflects the Government's priorities for the Criminal Justice System, is to:
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 consistent fair and independent review of cases and through their fair, thorough and firm presentation at court.
For comprehensive information about the Criminal Justice System (CJS) please visit the CJS web site .
Others in the Criminal Justice System
- The Ministry of Justice
- The Home Office
- The Law Officers
- The Serious Fraud Office
- The Courts
- The Police
- The Prison Service
- The Probation Service
- Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI)
The Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is responsible in government to upholding justice, rights and democracy. In order to serve the public more effectively, it is driving forward improvements to the justice system, and modernising and safeguarding the constitution. It aims to empower citizens to obtain justice, safeguard their rights, and participate in a transparent and accountable democratic process. For more information about the Ministry of Justice, go to www.justice.gov.uk
The Home Office
The Home Office is responsible for matters relating to law and order, promoting effective and efficient policing and ensuring the courts have suitable sentencing powers. It maintains and reviews the effectiveness of criminal law and the procedures of the criminal justice system. For more information about the Home Office go to www.homeoffice.gov.uk.
The Law Officers
The Attorney General, assisted by the Solicitor General, provides the Government with advice on a range of legal matters, including proposed legislation. The Attorney General has final responsibility for enforcing criminal law and superintends the Director of Public Prosecutions. For more information about the Law Officers go to www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk.
The Serious Fraud Office
Most major fraud cases are not prosecuted by the CPS but by the Serious Fraud Office, which specialises in such crime. For more information about the Serious Fraud Office go to www.sfo.gov.uk.
The Courts
Advocates representing the CPS prosecute the majority of the criminal cases that are heard within the magistrates' courts and the Crown Courts. Magistrates' courts deal with the less serious criminal offences. Youth courts are special magistrates' courts which deal with all but the most serious charges against people aged between 10 (the age of criminal responsibility) and under 18. Crown Courts deal with the most serious offences, which are triable by judge and jury. For more information about the courts go to www.courtservice.gov.uk.
The Police
There are 43 police forces across England and Wales responsible for the investigation of crime, collection of evidence and the arrest or detention of suspected offenders. Once a suspect is held, in minor cases the police decide whether to caution them, take no further action, issue a fixed penalty notice or refer to the CPS for a conditional caution, or in the more serious cases, send the papers to the CPS to decide upon prosecution. For more information, go to your local police force website through the Police Services Portal at www.police.uk.
The Prison Service
The Prison Service is responsible for keeping in custody people on remand awaiting trial and those sentenced to imprisonment by the courts. For more information about the Prison Service go to www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk.
The Probation Service
The Probation Service provides courts with advice and information on offenders, implements community orders made by the courts and also assists prisoners before and after their release. For more information about the Probation Service go to www.homeoffice.gov.uk.
Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI)
HMCPSI is an independent organisation that inspects and reports on the operations of The Crown Prosecution Service. For more information go to www.hmcpsi.gov.uk.
