AC1.2 Describe organisation of the CJS in England and Wales

Question 1

Police & relationship with other agencies

Answer 1

• Responsible for maintaining social control, investigating crimes, collecting evidence, arresting suspects.
• Work closely with CPS to determine whether there is enough evidence to charge a suspect
• Work with probation in the management of an offender.
  -Work with the courts to ensure defendants, in custody, are brought to court, give evidence, organise witnesses.

Question 2

Ministry of Justice & relationship with other agencies

Answer 2

• They oversee the work of HM courts & tribunal services, probation services, prison systems.

Question 3

HM Courts and Tribunals Service & relationship with other agencies

Answer 3

• Contributes to law creation through judicial precedent and statutory interpretation.
• Arranges video links a prisoner is unable to attend a hearing at court
• Work with the police/independent security firms and prisons to ensure safe delivery of prisoners to court.
• Work with probation services when a prisoner is to be released.

Question 4

Courts

Answer 4

• Where criminal cases are heard and decided.
• Magistrates’ courts deal with less serious offences
• Crown courts deal with serious offences
• Judges and Magistrates oversee trials and decide on guilt or innocence based on evidence presented.

Question 5

Crown Prosecution Service & relationship with other agencies

Answer 5

• Advise the police on charging a suspect.
• Appear in the court to conduct the support of a case.

Question 6

HM Prison Service & relationship with other agencies

Answer 6

• Lawyers may seek visits to prisons for legal consultations
• The judge sets the term of imprisonment including the length, type and whether it is concurrent or consecutive
• Those defendants who have been denied bail by police or courts will be remanded to prison.
• Work with probation services when a prisoner is to be released.

Question 7

National Probation Service & relationship with other agencies

Answer 7

• Police will arrest a prisoner recalled while on probation and ensure return to prison.
• Liaison and preparation between agencies when prisoners are released.
• Oversees prisoner once released if on licence or parole.
• Liaison with police should there be any issues and recall to prison if appropriate
• Oversees all prisoners who have served a sentence of up to two years and released on licence for a minimum for a minimum of 12 months.

Question 8

Law creation

Answer 8

• Domain of Parliament - Government ministers, MPs or Lords propose new laws or amendments, which then go through the legislative process.
• Judges also contribute by interpreting and applying laws through case law (precedent).

Question 9

Formal punishment

Answer 9

• Once a person is found guilty, courts determine appropriate punishment eg. prison sentence, community service, fine.
• Sentencing guidelines helps ensure consistency in sentencing decisions.

Question 10

How are agencies under the MOJ funded?

Answer 10

• Government allocations - primary funding source comes from UK government, allocated during annual budgets or spending reviews.
• Fees and Charges - agencies such as courts may generate additional income through fines, court fees.
• Partnership funding - some agencies may receive grants or support from local authorities.

Question 11

The personnel encountered before charges

Answer 11

• Police Officers
• Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCO)
• Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
• Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• Solicitors
• Forensic experts