AC 1.2 DESCRIBE ORGANISATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

• Overview of the Criminal Justice System:

  • Law creation and administration: passing criminal laws by parliament and running the justice system
  • Law enforcement: conducted by the police
  • The courts: decide the outcome of criminal cases
  • Punishment of convicted offenders: prisons and probation service
• Campaigns:

  • E.g., Prison Reform Trust
  • Work with courts, prisons, police, Ministry of Justice, Home Office
  • Campaign to change the justice system
• VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS: E.g., victim support  

  Work with the police, courts and CPS 

  Support victims throughout the stages of an investigation and trial  
• RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AGENCIES

  THE POLICE: 

  The Courts – giving evidence, provide protection for vulnerable witnesses, holding defendants in cells and transporting  

  The CPS – provide evidence for charging  

  HM Prison and Probation Service – arrest prisoners who have been recalled to prison  

  Voluntary Organisations – referring victims and witnesses to crime and victim support  
• RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AGENCIES

  THE CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE: 

  The Police – advise the police, instruct them on charging suspects  

  The Courts – prepare and present the prosecution case, also prepare appeals  
• RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AGENCIES

  GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS: 

  The Courts, Prison Service and Probation Service – provide funding  

  The Police – provide funding, publishes police crime statistics, set policing priorities
• RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AGENCIES

  HM COURTS AND TRIBUNALS SERVICE: 

  Courts and Judges – ensure the court systems run efficiently  

  HM Prison Service – responsible for holding prisoners attending court, arrange video recordings if needed 
• RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AGENCIES

  THE NATIONAL PROBATION SERVICE: 

  HM Prison Service and Parole Board – supervise prisoners who are released on license  

  The Courts – responsible for producing a pre-sentencing report, supervise offenders, supervise drug testing  
• RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AGENCIES

  HM PRISON SERVICE: 

  The Courts – responsible for carrying out custodial sentences, facilitates visits from defence lawyers  

  The Police – facilitates interviews for ongoing investigations  

  The National Probation Service – liaise with prison when a prisoner is to be released on license  
• AGENCIES

  Law Creation: 

  • Parliament – bills are proposed through government and go through a series of stages to be passed and be given royal assent  
  • Judiciary – judges can follow precedent or make law through statutory interpretation 
  • Ministry of Justice and Home Office are responsible for funding and ensuring courts run smoothly  
• AGENCIES

  The Police: 

  • 43 regional police forces  
  • They enforce the criminal law, investigate, collect evidence, arrest, detain and question suspects  
  • They send files to the CPS 
• AGENCIES

  • They send files to the CPS 

  The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS): 

  • Independent prosecution service for England and Wales  
  • Advises the police in their investigations  
  • Assess the evidence the police submit and decide whether to prosecute  
  • Decision is based by applying the full code test  
  • They prepare and present the prosecution case in court  
• AGENCIES

  HM Courts and Tribunals Service: 

  • Responsible for the administration of courts and tribunals in England and Wales
• AGENCIES

  The Courts: 

  • 100% of cases start in the Magistrates court, 95% staying there 
  • Magistrates deal with summary offences 
  • Crown court deals with indictable offences  
  • The Jury decides the verdict 
  • Offenders are sometimes given the right to appeal  
• AGENCIES

  HM Prison and Probation Service: 

  • Carries out sentences given to offenders by the courts  
  • Supervises offenders serving their sentences  
  • Seek to rehabilitate offenders