Code for Crown Prosecutors

The Code

In January 2006 sole responsibility for charging criminal suspects transferred from the police to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), in all but the most minor and straightforward cases.

All prosecutors follow the Code for Crown Prosecutors, a public document issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions, which sets out the general principles they should follow when they make decisions on cases.

The two main considerations for Crown Prosecutors are whether there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction, and whether it's in the public interest to proceed with a prosecution.

 

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Home » About Us

About Us

CPS Wessex serves a population of more than three million. It is covers Dorset, Hampshire & Isle of Wight and Wiltshire.

The CPS was set up in 1986 to prosecute criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. In undertaking this role CPS Wessex:

  • Advises police forces in Dorset, Hampshire  & Isle of Wight and Wiltshire on cases for possible prosecution
  • Reviews cases submitted by the police for prosecution
  • Determines the charge in all but minor cases
  • Prepares cases for court
  • Presents those cases at court

In 2010/11 we prosecuted 70,499 cases in the Magistrates' Court and 6,849 cases in the Crown Court.

Our Business

CPS Wessex is led by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP), Depty Chief Crown Prosecutor (DCCP), an Area Business Manager (ABM) and Business Change and Delivery Manager (BCDM) responsible for performance, business functions and staff managment.

CPS Wessex is supported by the Area Operations Centre (AOC), which provides specialist advice and support.  Roles such as Finanace, Human Resources, Performance, Communications and Equality & Diversity are based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. 

Wessex Daytime

In 2009 CPS Wessex became the first area to transform the way it provides charging advice to the police.  Charging lawyers are now available 24/7 in a new telephone service called Wessex Daytime. The service reduces delays in providing charging advice for volume crime cases. Instead of booking time at a police station lawyers and police officers can now speak immediately over the phone. Face-to-face consultation is still available at a local level for the most serious and complex cases.