Explain The Role Of Agencies In Social Control

Question 1

What is the polices main role?

Answer 1

To work alongside the community to maintain law and order.

Question 2

What is the polices reach?

Answer 2

45 police forces in the UK therefore, this is national reach.

39 in England and 4 in Wales the rest are in Scotland and Northern Ireland. So reach is both national and local.

Question 3

Name a local police force.

Answer 3

Durham

Cleveland

Northumbria

Question 4

How are the police funded?

Answer 4

England and Wales the main source of income is a central government grant this is funded through taxation. They also raise some of their income through council tax bills.

Question 5

Working practices - how the police do their job:

What do all police forces have teams of?

Answer 5

Officers who are responsible for general beat duties and response to emergency and non-emergency calls from the public.

Nearly all police officers begin their careers in this area of policing, with some moving on to more specialist roles.

Question 6

What is the CPS?

Answer 6

This is the principal prosecuting authority for England and Wales, acting independently in criminal cases investigated by the police.

Question 7

When were the CPS established?

Answer 7

1986 under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.

Question 8

What happened before the CPS were created?

Answer 8

The police both investigated and prosecuted.

Question 9

What do the CPS do?

Answer 9

Decide which cases should be prosecuted - keeping them all under continuous review.

Determine the appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases - advising the police during the early stages of investigations.

Prepare cases and present them at court using a range of in-house advocates, self-employed advocates of agents in court.

Provide information, assistance and support to victims and prosecution witnesses.

Question 10

What is the CPS’ philosophy/values?

Answer 10

Cps being:

Independent and fair

Honest and open

Treat everyone with respect

Behave professionally and strive for excellence

Question 11

What is happening to the CPS’ budget? - funding.

Answer 11

Decreasing:

£592 million (2012-13)
£499.8 million (2015-16)

Question 12

How are the CPS funded?

Answer 12

Costs are awarded by the courts, the CPS recovers some of the costs of its prosecutions from defendants.

In addition, the CPS recovers criminal assets through its confiscation, restraint and enforcement activity.

Majority of their funds come from the government and the amount is approved by parliament.

Question 13

Working practices - how many areas across England and Wales does the CPS consist of?

Answer 13

14 geographical areas direct for the police (24/7).

Our area is the north east - durham, Cleveland and Northumbria.

The head of the CPS is the Director of Public Prosecutions - Max Hill QC.

Question 14

What is the code of practice used to help decide?

Answer 14

If a prosecution should take place.

Question 15

What are the two parts of the Codes of Practice test?

Answer 15

Evidential - is there enough evidence against the defendant?

Public interest test - is it in the public interest for the CPS to bring the case to court.

Question 16

Is there enough evidence against the defendant - evidential test: what must the CPS consider when this takes place?

Answer 16

Whether the evidence can be used in court

It is reliable

It is credible

The cps must be satisfied that there is enough evidence to provide a ‘realistic prospect of conviction’ against each defendant.

Question 17

A prosecution will usually take place unless…?

Answer 17

The prosecution is sure that the public interest factors tending against prosecution outweigh those tending in favour.

Question 18

A series of questions have to be considered to reach a decision about any prosecution being in the public interest. What are they?

Answer 18

How serious is the offence committed?

What is the level of culpability of the suspect?

What are the circumstances of and the harm caused to the victim?

Was the suspect under the age of 18 at the time of the offence?

What is the impact on the community?

Is prosecution a proportionate response?

Do sources of information require protecting?

Question 19

What is the role of a judge in a crown court?

Answer 19

To make decisions about the law (uphold and interpret the law).

Manage the trial.

Explain the procedure and legal issues to the jury.

Sum up at the end of the case and pass a sentence if appropriate.

Question 20

Types of judges: they are generally broken into two groups, what are these?

Answer 20

Superior and inferior:

The differences between superior and inferior judges relate to their qualification, selection and appointment and the subsequent work they do.

Inferior judges are the ones who sit in courts below the level of the High court ( crown and magistrates)

Superior judges are those who sit in high court, the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.