Unit 4 AC1.2 Describe the organisation of the criminal justice system in England and Wales Flashcards
What is the organisation of the criminal justice system in England and Wales?
Law creation and administration, law enforcement, the courts, and punishment of offenders.
What are the main parts of the criminal justice system?
Law creation, law enforcement, the courts, and punishment of offenders.
Describe the role of Parliament in law creation.
Parliament passes Acts, creating statute law.
How do judges contribute to law creation?
Judges set precedents and interpret statutes through statutory interpretation.
What is the role of the police in the criminal justice system?
Enforce laws, investigate crimes, and decide prosecution.
How many regional police forces are there in England and Wales?
43 regional police forces.
What is the responsibility of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service?
Administer the courts and tribunals in England and Wales.
What is the purpose of the magistrate’s court?
Handle less serious offenses and make initial pleas and bail decisions.
What types of cases does the Crown Court handle?
Handle serious offenses triable by judge and jury.
What role does the CPS play in the criminal justice system?
Decide whether to prosecute and present the prosecution’s case.
What factors determine the verdict and punishment in a criminal case?
Evidence presented to the jury or judge.
Can offenders appeal against their conviction and/or sentence?
Yes, offenders can appeal.
What is the role of HM Prison Service?
Supervise offenders in custody.
What is the role of the National Probation Service?
Supervise offenders in the community and provide rehabilitation support.
What is the purpose of the criminal justice system in England and Wales?
Enforce laws, ensure fair trials, and punish or rehabilitate offenders.
How does the criminal justice system contribute to maintaining social order?
Enforce laws, investigate crimes, and provide appropriate punishment or rehabilitation.
What is the significance of statutory law in the criminal justice system?
Provides the legal framework for defining and punishing criminal offenses.
How does the criminal justice system ensure fairness and justice?
Through independent judiciary, fair trials, and consideration of individual circumstances.
How does the criminal justice system contribute to public safety?
Identify, apprehend, and deter offenders, and rehabilitate and supervise them.
How are offenders handled in custody and in the community by the criminal justice system?
Offenders in custody are supervised by the HM Prison Service, while those in the community are supervised by the National Probation Service.
Describe the organisation of the criminal justice system in England and Wales.
Various agencies and departments work together to enforce laws, prosecute offenders, support victims, and ensure public safety.
Describe the relationships between different agencies and the extent of cooperation that exists.
Different agencies collaborate to investigate and prosecute crimes, support victims and witnesses, manage offenders, and maintain public safety.
What role do the police play in the criminal justice system?
The police give evidence, protect vulnerable witnesses, hold defendants in cells, and transport them to court.
How do the HM Prison and Probation Services cooperate with the police?
They arrest prisoners recalled for breaching their license and manage the list of child sex offenders in the area.
What is the role of the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) in the criminal justice system?
The CPS provides evidence for prosecution and charges offenders according to instructions.
How do voluntary organizations contribute to the criminal justice system?
They refer victims and witnesses to support services such as Victim Support and provide assistance.
How do the police and CPS collaborate?
The police seek advice on evidence collection, and the CPS instructs them on charging suspects.
What is the role of the courts in the criminal justice system?
The courts prepare and present the prosecution case against offenders and handle appeals against unduly lenient sentences.
How do government departments contribute to the criminal justice system?
They provide funding for the courts, prison service, probation service, and set national policing priorities.
What is the responsibility of HM Courts and Tribunals Service?
They supervise the efficient running of courts, fund individual courts, and arrange video recordings for prisoners giving evidence.
How does the National Probation Service contribute to the criminal justice system?
They supervise prisoners released on license, prepare pre-sentence reports, and supervise offenders with community sentences.
What is the role of HM Prison Service in the criminal justice system?
They carry out custodial sentences, supervise defendants remanded into custody, and facilitate visits from defense lawyers.
How does HM Prison Service cooperate with the police?
They facilitate interviews with prisoners involved in ongoing police investigations.
What is the role of the National Probation Service when a prisoner is to be released on license?
They liaise to ensure a smooth transition and supervision of the prisoner in the community.
How do the police protect vulnerable witnesses?
The police take measures to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable witnesses during investigations and court proceedings.
What is the role of voluntary organizations in supporting victims?
Voluntary organizations refer victims to support services such as Victim Support, provide refuge options, and offer witness support.
How do the police transport defendants to and from court?
The police are responsible for the safe transportation of defendants from police cells to the court for hearings and trials.
What role does the Crown Prosecution Service play in preparing appeals?
The CPS prepares and presents the prosecution case when appealing against unduly lenient sentences in court.
How does the Ministry of Justice contribute to the criminal justice system?
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the functioning of the courts, prisons, and probation services.
How do government departments provide funding for the criminal justice system?
Government departments allocate funds from general taxation to support the different parts of the justice system, including the courts, prison service, and probation service.
