The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is a government agency operating within the legal framework of the United Kingdom. It is primarily responsible for prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the public, as well as determining and implementing charging decisions. Established under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, the CPS plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system.
As the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales, the CPS has the power to decide whether an individual or organization should be charged with a criminal offense based on the evidence gathered by the police or other investigative agencies. This involves assessing the strength of the evidence available and evaluating whether it is in the public interest to proceed with a prosecution.
The CPS operates independently from the police and other law enforcement agencies, ensuring impartiality in the decision-making process. It strives to maintain fairness and consistency in its approach to criminal cases, following the code for Crown prosecutors. This code provides guidelines on key principles, such as evidential sufficiency, public interest, and proportionality of the criminal justice system.
Furthermore, the CPS is responsible for managing and overseeing the work of Crown Prosecutors, who represent the prosecution in court proceedings. They present the case against the accused, submit evidence, examine witnesses, and argue the prosecution's case before a judge and jury.
In summary, the Crown Prosecution Service is a crucial institution within the legal system of England and Wales, tasked with making decisions on whether to prosecute criminal cases and striving to ensure that justice is served fairly and consistently.
