Roles And Organisations In The CJS Flashcards
Role of the police
Enforce and maintain the law
Have powers of arrest, search and interview
Hold offenders in custody
Investigate and solve crimes from start to end
Patrol communities to protect society
Role of the Criminal Prosecution Service
Advise the police in the early stages of an investigation
Examine evidence
Act as lawyers/ prosecutors in court
Decide which law has been broken and what charge to prosecute a defendant with
Follow 2 stages - evidential and public interest stage
What is the Evidential Stage in the Full Code Test?
Asks if there is enough evidence to gain a ‘realistic prospect of conviction’.
Decides whether there is sufficient evidence and whether it is credible and reliable when looking at physical and testimonial evidence provided
What is the Public Interest Stage in the Full Code Test?
Whether it is in the public interest or not to prosecute.
How serious the crime is committed
What the level of culpability is of the suspect
The circumstances of the crime and how much harm was brought to the victim
The impact on the community
What is the role of a judge?
Provide a ruling on legal issues
Impose appropriate sentences
Ensure a fair trial occurs for the defendant and that human rights are followed throughout
Interpret laws to ensure verdicts are safe and follow sentencing guidelines
What is the role of the courts?
They are split into 2 types; magistrates and the crown court
They are the location where trials are held
Ensure consistency in all legal cases to achieve a fair trial
Everyone goes through the same process
What is the role of the prison service?
Provide retribution to offenders through imprisonment
Protection of public from dangerous offenders
Rehabilitation programmes to change their behaviour and lead them away from criminal and deviant lives
Help offenders lead law-abiding lives throughout prison to reduce reoffending rates
What is the role of the probation service?
Help manage offenders throughout conviction
Help adjust offenders back into society
Can send those who breach probation conditions back to prison
Supervise previous offenders to reduce reoffending after offering rehabilitation programmes
What is the role of charities?
Address social issues through public awareness
Provide help and raise money for those in need through fundraising
Protects victims and offer programmes to bring those together
What is the role of pressure groups?
Campaign for change in direct ways such as protests
Protect victims of crime through schemes and refuges to help people speak up and raise awareness
Relationship between the police and the CJS
Enforce laws made by parliament
Work closely with the CPS when providing evidence found needed for a prosecution
Can give evidence in court as dealt with initial investigation having first hand experience
Police are the start and end of a criminal investigation
Relationship between CPS and CJS
Advise the police during the early stages of the investigation as to whether there is enough sufficient evidence or not required for a prosecution
Advise the police on what to charge the offender with when prosecuting
Get files ready for lawyers and can act as solicitors in court
CPS will carryout the advocacy of hearings in either the magistrates or crown courts
Relationship between courts and judiciary and the CJS
Law creation through judicial precedent and statutory interpretation
Work with the police and prison service to ensure a safe delivery of offender to court and back
Decides the sentence and punishment from following sentencing guidelines
Defendants held in custody during court hearings and after
Serious crimes are held at crown courts eg. murder and will be trialled by jury whereas summary offences dealt at magistrates court
Relationship between prison service and CJS
Lawyers may want to visit defendants for legal consultations
Work with the probation as to when prisoners are safe to be released into society
The judge will impose the offenders sentence length in prison
Relationship between probation service and CJS
Police will take prisoner back to prison once recalled by probation
Oversee prisoners once released on parole or licence
If individual breaches conditions then a person may be sent back to prison to serve the remainder of their sentence
