Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire falls within the Thames and Chiltern Area, one of 13 CPS Areas across England and Wales, which prosecute people charged with a criminal offence.

CPS lawyers review the evidence gathered by the police and decide whether the case should go to court.

Responsibilities include:

• Advising the police on possible prosecutions
• Reviewing cases submitted by the police and deciding on the charge
• Preparing cases for court
• Prosecuting cases at Crown Courts and magistrates' courts
• Cases are prosecuted firmly, fairly and effectively when there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and when it is in the public interest to do so.

Caseload:

In the financial year to March 2012, CPS Bedfordshire prosecuted 7,383 cases in magistrates' courts and 985 cases in Crown Courts. The conviction rate for this period was 88% in magistrates' courts and 82% in Crown Courts.

In the first quarter of 2012-13, CPS Bedfordshire prosecuted 1,857 cases in magistrates' courts and 214 cases in Crown Courts. The conviction rate for this period was 88% in magistrates' courts and 80% in Crown Courts.

In the second quarter of 2012-13, CPS Bedfordshire prosecuted 1,836 cases in magistrates' courts and 202 cases in Crown Courts. The conviction rate for this period was 88% in magistrates' courts and 84% in Crown Courts.