Ac1.2 Describe organisation of the Criminal justice system Flashcards
What organisations does the Government work with?
The Courts, Prison Service and Probations service - Through HM Courts and Tribunals Service and HM Prison and Probation Service. The Ministry of Justice is the department responsible.
The Police Where the Home
Office is the department
responsible for setting
national policing priorities.
Government departments
provide funding for these
parts of the justice system out
of general taxation.
Who do the Police work with?
The Courts Give evidence as prosecution witnesses Protect vulnerable witnesses, Hold
defendants in police cells, Transport defendants to and from court.
* CPS Provide evidence for prosecution. Charge offenders in line with CPS instructions.
* HM Prison and Probation Services Police arrest prisoners recalled to prison for breaching terms
of their licence. Police cooperate with prison and probation services in managing the list of
child sex offenders living in their area.
* Voluntary Organisations Refer victims and witnesses to Victim Support, refuges and witness
service.
Who do the CPS work with?
The Police Advise on lines of enquiry and evidence collection to build a case. Instruct the police on charging suspects. The Courts Prepare and present the prosecution case against offenders-preparing appeals
against unduly lenient sentences.
Who do the HM Courts and Tribunals service work with?
The Courts and Judges Supervising the efficient running of the courts
system; funding the individual courts.
* HM Prison Service Holding prisoners attending court, pending their
transfer or return to prison Arrange video recordings and live links for
prisoners giving evidence from prison.
Who do the HM Prison service work with?
The Courts Carrying out custodial sentences that
the court has imposed on offenders; supervising
defendants who have been remanded into
custody (refused bail) by the court. Facilitating
visits from defence lawyers to their clients in
prison.
* The Police Facilitating interviews with prisoners
involved in ongoing police investigations.
* The National Probation Service Liaising when a
prisoner is to be released from prison on licence.
Who do the National probation service work with?
HM Prison Service and the Parole Board Supervise
prisoners released on licence.
* The Courts Preparing pre-sentence reports on
offenders; supervising offenders who have been
given a community sentence by the court;
supervising drug testing under the court’s orders.
Descriptions of agencies in the Criminal justice system
Law creation/administration – Parliament passes Acts. Judges also create
law: precedent and statutory interpretation.
* Law enforcement – Police investigate crimes; arrest, detain and question
suspects. In minor cases they issue cautions or give fixed penalty notices.
They send files to the CPS to let them decide whether or not to prosecute.
* Courts – Magistrates: This deals with less serious offences-about 95% of all
cases. Crown Courts: Deals with serious offences-triable by judge and jury.
The prosecution (CPS) and defence lawyers present a case for and
against the defendant. The jury (Crown Court) or magistrates will decide
the verdict. If guilty, the judge or magistrates will decide the punishment.
* Punishment of offenders - HM Prison Service supervises offenders in
custody. The National Probation Service Supervises offenders who are
serving their sentences in the community.
