Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire 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 Buckinghamshire prosecuted 7,716 cases in Magistrates' Courts and 1,155 cases in Crown Courts. The conviction rate for this period was 87% in magistrates' courts and 80% in Crown Courts.

In the first quarter of 2012-13, CPS Buckinghamshire prosecuted 1,686 cases in Magistrates' Courts and 236 cases in Crown Courts. The conviction rate for this period was 86% in magistrates' courts and 84% in Crown Courts.

In the second quarter of 2012-13, CPS Buckinghamshire prosecuted 1,694 cases in magistrates' courts and 178 cases in Crown Courts. The conviction rate for this period was 86% in magistrates' courts and 71% in Crown Courts.