Open Justice
31/03/2009
Keir Starmer, Director of Public Prosecutions talks to reporter Piers Hopkirk about his vision for The Crown Prosecution Service.
Video Transcript
Keir Starmer QC, Director Of Public Prosecutions:
My vision is of a world class prosecuting service, that reduces crime, protects the public, by dealing effectively with criminal behaviour, by protecting and respecting the rights of victims and witnesses, and by inspiring the confidence of the communities that we serve.
It is really important that we do this in an open and transparent way. It is really important that we are accountable for the decisions we make. We will only be accountable, if we make our decisions clear and assessable and put them into the public domain.
Reporter Piers Hopkirk:
The Crown Prosecution service is the independent authority responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.
It is responsible for advising the police on cases for possible prosecutions, reviewing cases submitted by the police, determining any charges in all by minor cases, and preparing and presenting cases at court.
Today's Crown Prosecution Service is committed to letting in the light, ushering in a new era of openness and accountability. You can read about the Crown Prosecution Service on digital TV, including Sky, Virgin and Freeview, and on the DirectGov mobile phone service.
Video Clip Of Malcolm Taylor, Reviewing Lawyer For CPS In Case Of Shannon Matthews Kidnapping:
I am the reviewing lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service. I would just like to say that this was a story of total disregard for a family and indeed for the public. Karen Matthews and Steven Donovan seemed honestly to believe that they could stage the disappearance of Matthews' own daughter and somehow benefit financially from the huge wave of public sympathy that would inevitably follow. (Begins to fade and become inaudible)This cynical...
Reporter Piers Hopkirk:
The Crown Prosecution Service's media protocol ensures that more information is now being put into the public domain, that even closer connections are made with the media.
Keir Starmer QC, Director Of Public Prosecutions:
What I think we should deliver is a modern, transparent prosecuting service where we explain what we do, we put the maximum amount of information into the public domain and we engage with communities that we serve in a way that they can understand what we have done, why we have done it, they can form a view on it and in that way they can really hold us accountable.
Dru Sharpling, Chief Crown Prosecutor For London:
Welcome to the CPS involvement panel for CPS London.
Reporter Piers Hopkirk:
The CPS is committed to engaging directly with local communities, meeting the people it serves, listening and learning.
Keir Starmer QC, Director Of Public Prosecutions:
There are some really clear examples of community engagement shaping and effecting what we have done in a very positive way. One would be the work we have on violence against women and another would be hate crime, where we have gone out and we have talked about these issues, we have listened to what they have said and we have adapted what we do in order to take that into account.
Reporter Piers Hopkirk:
Lifting the lid on the legal process in this way is also vital in helping to support victims and witnesses.
The CPS website guides victims and witnesses through the realities of the prosecution process, so they can feel confident and actively participate in the successful outcome of cases.
Director Of Public Prosecutions:
It is very important, that victims of crime feel that they have the confidence to come forward, that they will be treated properly and be able to participate in legal proceedings.
Very important also that witnesses feel they can come forward, they will understand what is required of them and that will be treated with dignity throughout.
