Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service is a non-ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom and is responsible for public prosecutions of people charged with criminal offences in England and Wales. It is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Its role is similar to that of the long established Crown Office in Scotland. The Director of Public Prosecutions answers to the Attorney General for England and Wales and it was established by Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.

Related Topics:
Non-ministerial department - Government of the United Kingdom - Prosecution - Criminal offence - England and Wales - Director of Public Prosecutions - Crown Office - Scotland - Attorney General for England and Wales - Prosecution of Offences Act 1985

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The police investigate crimes. The CPS advise the police on possible prosecutions, authorise charge, review cases submitted by the police, prepare cases for court and present cases in the Magistrates' Court and (increasingly) the Crown Court.

Related Topics:
Police - Crime - Magistrates' Court - Crown Court

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