Less serious offences such as motoring offences or public order offences can usually only be tried in the magistrates’ court. These are called ‘summary only’ offences. The most serious offences such as rape or murder can only be tried in the Crown Court.

Your local CPS. The CPS operates across England and Wales, with 14 regional teams prosecuting cases locally. Each of these 14 CPS Areas is headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor, and works closely with local police forces and other criminal justice partners.

Responding to intimidating behaviour in elections and public office: a CPS guide. This pack – written for holders of elected office, candidates, campaigners and their staff – is intended to help you recognise and report potential crimes in England and Wales.

Updated: 17 August 2023; 27 November 2023; minor revision 19 January 2024, 7 February 2025 | Legal Guidance

This means asking whether a court is more likely than not to find the defendant guilty when it's heard all the evidence. To answer this question the prosecutor must consider whether the evidence is reliable, credible and whether there is anything that might undermine the case against the defendant.. This test is different to the test the court applies at trial.

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

The offence of driving without due care and attention (careless driving) under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 is committed when the defendant's driving falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver - section 3ZA(2) of the RTA 1988.

Youth cautions. Children aged 10 – 17 years old can be given a youth conditional caution if they admit a criminal offence. A youth conditional caution allows an authorised person (usually a police officer) or a relevant prosecutor (usually a member of the CPS) to decide to give a caution with one or more conditions attached.

A rape is when a person uses their penis without consent to penetrate the vagina, mouth, or anus of another person. Legally, a person without a penis cannot commit rape, but a female may be guilty of rape if they assist a male perpetrator in an attack. Sexual assault is where one person intentionally touches another person sexually without their consent.

What's the role like? Our casework assistants provide some insight into what you do in this job at the Crown Prosecution Service. 'You manage case files, prepare the bundles for court, liaise with other criminal justice partners including witness care, serve material on defence - …