The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales. The CPS is independent, and makes decisions independently of the police and government.
The duty of the CPS is to make sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible.
The CPS:
- decides which cases should go to court;
- determines the appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases, and advises the police during the early stages of investigations;
- prepares cases and presents them at court; and
- provides information, assistance and support to victims and prosecution witnesses.
Prosecutors must be fair, objective and independent. When deciding whether to prosecute a criminal case, our lawyers must follow the Code for Crown Prosecutors. This means that to charge someone with a criminal offence, prosecutors must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and that prosecuting is in the public interest.
The CPS works closely with the police, courts, the Judiciary and other partners to deliver justice.*
*Information taken from the CPS website. You can find more information on the links below