1.2 Flashcards
Describe the organisation of the criminal justice system
explain what law creation do
- parliament create legislation/pass acts
- judiciary create common law by setting precedents and interpreting statues
- The Ministry and Home Office over see the CJS to make sure it runs smoothly
Explain who Law creation work with and how
- Laws are created by parliament and the judiciary
- Those Laws are enforced by the police.
- The CPS advises the police on if there is a case to answer.
- Cases are brought before the magistrate court.
- Defendant is bailed or remanded.
- Trial is heard by magistrate or Jury who decide guilt.
- If guilty a formal punishment is issued by Judge/Magistrate.
- May be sent to prison managed by HMP
- After prison the offender is placed on probation with probation service
How do law creation agencies relate to formal punishment?
- Judiciary set precedent on sentencing also.
- Parliament provide sentencing guideline
what do the police do?
- enforce the criminal law
- Investigate crimes and collate evidence
Arrest, caution, detain and question suspects - send files to CPS, but sometimes issue a caution/penalty notice themselves
Explain who the police work with and how
-
The courts
-The police give evidence as prosecution witnesses
-They provide protection for vulnerable witnesses giving evidence
-Hold defendants in police cells.
-Ask court for extension to detentions -
The CPS
-Provide evidence for the prosecution of offenders
-Charge offenders in line with CPS instructions
-Communicate with CPS for required evidence -
HM Prison and Probation Service
-Police arrest prisoners who have been recalled to prison for breaching the terms of their license
-As a result of Sarah’s Law, the police also cooperate with the prison and probation services in managing the list of child sex offenders living in their area
-The prison service facilitates interviews with prisoners involved in ongoing police investigations.
-MAPPA -
Government departments
-The Home Office funds the police, publishes police crime statistics and sets policing priorities -
Voluntary organisations
-Referring victims and witnesses of crime to victim support, women’s refuges, the witness service, etc.
Explain how the police provide formal punishment
- Minor case- Issue a caution or a fixed penalty notice (fine)
- Serious case- Arrest and detain. Send files to CPS so they can decide whether to prosecute
What do the courts do
- All cases start in the Magistrates’ court and 95% are completed there.
- The defendant will plead guilty or not guilty
- Pre-trial issues such as legal aid and bail will be decided
- Guilty pleas will lead to a sentencing hearing
- Not guilty pleas will lead to a trial being arranged. If the sentence is too heavy for the Magistrates to deal with, the case will be passed to the Crown Court.
- The prosecution and defence lawyers will present arguments and evidence for and against the defendant.
- The jury will decide the verdict and if guilty the judge will punish
- Judge/magistrates decide the punishment based on the sentencing guidelines
Who do the courts work with and how
-
The CPS
-The CPS will prepare and present the prosecution case against offenders
-They will also prepare appeals against unduly lenient sentences
-These would both be presented in a court
-Defend against any appeals. -
Government departments
-The Ministry of Justice is responsible for providing funding for the courts -
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
-HM Courts and Tribunals Service is responsible for ensuring that the courts system runs efficiently
-it is also responsible for funding the individual courts -
Police
-The police give evidence as prosecution witnesses
-They provide protection for vulnerable witnesses giving evidence
-Hold defendants in police cells. -
HM Prison Service
-Prison would also arrange video recordings and live links for prisoners giving evidence from prison
-Prison carries out the custodial sentences that the court has imposed on offenders
-HM Prison service supervises offenders who have been remanded into custody (refused bail by the courts)
-The prison service facilitates visits from defence lawyers to their clients in prison -
The National Probation Service
-The probation service is responsible for producing a pre-sentencing report on offenders
-They supervise offenders who have been given a community sentence by the court
-They also supervise drug testing under the court’s orders
what are the 4 formal punishment types a court can impose?
- A custodial sentence (imprisonment)
- A community sentence
- A fine
- A conditional or absolute discharge
what does the prison service do
- hold offenders/supervise them whilst in custody
- rehabilitate
- prepare offenders to leave prison
who do the prison work with and how
-
Court:
-Carry out sentences as issued by the court.
-Providing video links for offenders giving evidence or transporting inmates to court to give evidence.
-Facilitate meetings with defence lawyers and those appealing or on remand
-Parole hearings are multi agency. -
Police
-Facilitate interviews for ongoing investigations.
-MAPPA
-Assess risk of offenders leaving prison. -
Probation
-MAPPA
-Joint home visits
-Supervising drug tests.
-Will be sent back to prison of they breach their conditions
how does the prison formally punish offenders (don’t know if need)
- remove privileges
- solitary confinement
- extend sentence
- recategorisation
- warnings?
what do the probation service do
-Supervise offenders in the community.
- Provide rehabilitation programs
- Protect victims
- Support offenders to reintegrate into society.
who do the probation service work with and how
-
Police-
-Police will arrest offenders if they breach conditions.
-Joint visits to offenders homes
-Support victims- manage safety- address alerts.
-Assess risk jointly with police -
Courts-
-If breach conditions return to court for change/extension of order.
-Supervise offenders on court orders
-Supervise drug testing ordered by the court. -
Prison-
-Liaise with prison and risk assess offenders before release.
-House those recalled to prison for breaching conditions.
-MAPPA.
what formal punishments do the probation service provide (don’t know if need)
- make conditions stricter
- return offender back to prison