Standard 8

Tell victims about changes

We will tell victims if we stop a case or change the charge. We will explain why.

8.1 Sometimes a Prosecutor stops a case going to court or makes big changes to the charge.

If this happens the Prosecutor will talk to the police before making the change.

The Prosecutor thinks about the victim and the effect the crime had on them.

If the victim is dead or can't say what they think the Prosecutor must think about the family's views.

8.2 Sometimes a Prosecutor stops a case going to court or makes big changes to the charge.

If this happens the Prosecutor will write to the victim and say why.

The Prosecutor must write to the victim in a strict time limit.

The letter should show that the Prosecutor knows about the victim's needs.

The letter should show that the Prosecutor knows what happened to the victim.

8.3 When the victim is scared of the person accused of the crime, or needs special help, the Prosecutor should try to speak to them. This should happen on the day a decision is made to stop the court case or change the charge.

The Prosecutor can speak to the victim face to face or by telephone.

This should be done before the Prosecutor writes to tell the victim about the decision.

8.4 In difficult cases the Police talk to the victim and tell them about decisions.

They then ask the victim if they would like to talk to the Prosecutor to answer their questions about their decision to stop a court case or change a charge.

8.5 In most cases the Police talk to the victim and tell them about decisions. In very difficult cases the Police may ask the victim if they would like to talk to the Prosecutor who made the decision.