02 Preliminaries to Prosecution Flashcards
What does CPS stand for?
Crown Prosecution Service
What is the purpose of CPS?
They enable the DPP to take over criminal proceedings
True or False: CPS is instructed by the Police?
False
What does DPP give CPS guidelines in?
- Determining if proceedings should be instituted or continued (if already continued)
- Determining what charges should be preferred
- Considering preparations to be made at Magistrates’ court about mode of trial
Two examples of when issues are withdrawn?
- If Jury does not conclude that the evidence is sufficient to satisfy the defence is established
- If Judge thinks the evidence is not sufficient
What must Judges do if he/she believes the evidence is unlikely to be sufficient?
Inform the defence.
What may the defence do if the Judge notifies them that the issue is at risk of being withdrawn due to insufficient evidence?
Defence may be able to provide more evidence on the issue
Who is an appointed person?
Someone appointed to institute conduct of such criminal proceedings as DPP assign
What are the appointed person’s work expectations
- Exercise powers subject to any instructions given by a crown prosecutor
- To obtain authority from CPS lawyer before taking any steps in relation to the case
True or False: Appointed person must have a general qualification
True
True or False: to be an appointed person, must be part of the CPS?
False
What is a written charge?
Charges person with offence
Who can bring/issue a written charge?
Relevant Prosecutor
Examples of Relevant Prosecutor
- Police Officer
- Director of SFO
- DPP
- The A-G
- Secretary of Health
etc.
What is the process to issue a written charge?
Where prosecutor issues written charge = requisition must be issued at the same time
True or False: Anyone can issue a written charge?
False
True or False: When issuing a written charge, you must issue a requisition at the same time?
True
When issuing a written charge, what must you also issue?
A requisition
When must you issue a requisition?
At the same time of issue of a written charge
What is the process to issue a summons?
Must make application to Magistrates’ court for issue of summons
What does Prosecution have to do to issue summons?
Prosecution must -
- Serve written application; or
- Present application orally with written record of allegations
What are the requirements for a written charge?
- Statement of offence describing the offence in ordinary language
- Sufficient particulars of conduct to make clear what prosecution alleges
- Identify person to whom written charge is issued
What are the requirements for a summons?
- Statement of offence describing the offence in ordinary language
- Sufficient particulars of conduct to make clear what prosecution alleges
- Identify issuing court
What is the time limit to issue a written charge/ summons in the Magistrate’s court?
6 months from when offence allegedly committed
What is the time limit to issue a written charge/ summons in the Crown court?
No limit unless provisions apply
Guidance = 6 months
True or False: Statute provisions can override Magistrates’ time limit?
False. MCA 1980 overrides
True or False: There is a Chief Prosecutor in each area in England and Wales?
True
Who can be a crown prosecutor?
DPP may designate any member of CPS who is a barrister or solicitor to be a crown prosecutor
What rights do crown prosecutor’s have?
Same right of audience as solicitors
What are the crown prosecutor’s powers?
- Same powers as Director (DPP)
2. To institute and conduct proceedings
True or False: Crown prosecutor’s have free reign to use their powers?
False, must take guidance from Director
True or False: Crown prosecutor’s have the power to sanction?
True. Only if delegated by DPP
What must an application for summons set out?
- Allegations made
- Any time limits for prosecution of offence
- Grounds for asserting accused has committed alleged offence
- Any previous applications made by the same applicant in respect of the allegations made
- Any current/ previous proceedings
Statement of truth
How many ways to secure first appearance at Magistrates’ court?
5