Introducing CPS Herts

Chief Crown Prosecutor David Robinson

Welcome to the website of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in Hertfordshire.

CPS Hertfordshire comprises about 120 staff based at St Albans and Stevenage, ranging from administrators and paralegal staff through to Associate Prosecutors, solicitors and barristers.  It is our privilege to serve the people of Hertfordshire through our pivotal role at the heart of the Criminal Justice System.

Hertfordshire CPS works closely with Hertfordshire Constabulary providing advice on lines of enquiry, reviewing evidence on cases for possible prosecution and determining the charge in all but routine and minor cases.  We prosecute in the region of 20,000 cases a year in six magistrates' courts, and at St Albans and Luton Crown Courts.

We are determined to be a transparent, open and accountable Service which is visible and accessible to the communities we serve.  I hope this website provides you with the information you want about our work.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in Hertfordshire is one of 42 CPS Areas across England and Wales who 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 April 2009, CPS Hertfordshire prosecuted 16,323 cases in magistrates' courts and 1,361 cases in Crown Courts. The conviction rate for this period was 85% in magistrates' courts and 79.6% in Crown Courts.