Caseworkers
Caseworkers play a vital role in assisting Crown Prosecutors with casework preparation and management. Typically they:
- Read and research cases and make recommendations to prosecutors on information required and charges to be bought.
- Assist prosecutors in case planning by ensuring that all relevant case material is at court ready for the hearing.
- Deal with correspondence and more complex casework enquiries.
- Liaise with counsel, witnesses, police and court staff including attending case conferences and providing care and support to witnesses and victims.
- Assess and calculate professional fees.
- Maintain relevant case notes and monitor case progress.
Designated Caseworkers
Designated caseworkers are non legal staff that have a similar role to caseworkers, but the main difference is that they attend the magistrates' courts, where they are empowered to take on the lawyers' role of presenting minor cases.
They deal with most summary only cases and straightforward either way offences that are likely not to be given more than six months custody as a sentence. Typical cases include motoring offences, shoplifting, common assault, drunk and disorderly and carrying an offensive weapon in a public place. They can also request restraining and exclusion orders, as well as costs and compensation for victims.