1.2 Organisation of criminal justice system

key organisations with CJS (5)

police, CPS, courts & tribunal service, prison, probation

role of police

investigate crime, collective evidence, arrest, detain and question suspects

for minor cases issue cautions and fines

role of CPS

advise police on lines of enjury eg evidence needed

assess evidence & decide whether to procecute/what charge

apply full code test

prepare and present case in court (CPS lawyers)

role of courts and tribunal service

magistrates - less serious (95%)

crown courts - most serious (5%)

CPS and defense lawyers present case in court - testimonial or physical evidence

judges and magistrates will decide the sentence; custodial or community, discharge or fine

role of prison and probation

prison - advise offenders in custody, rehabilitation

probation - supervised offenders who serve their sentences in community

both seek to rehabilitate offenders so they can live a crime free life

relationship between police and CPS

CPS advise police on lines of enquiry such as evidence needed for prosecution

police charge offender in line with CPS instructions

police provide evidence for the prosecution of offenders in court

relationship between police and courts

police present evidence in court as a prosecution witness

police provide protection for vulnerable witnesses

hold defendants in police cells & transport them too and from court

relationship between police and prison & probation

police arrest offenders who have been recalled to police that have breached their license

police cooperate with prison and probation to manage list of child’s sex offenders living in their area

police carry out interviews with prisoners involving in ongoing police investigations

relationship between CPS and courts

CPS prepare and present prosecution case against offenders

CPS prepare appeal against unduly lenient sentences

courts/judiciary ensure all evidence presented by CPS is admissible

relationship between courts and judges

supervises the efficient running of the court system

funds the courts

relationship between courts and prisons

prison holds prisoners attending court pending their transfer to prison

courts arrange video recordings and live links for prisoners giving evidence from prison

prison carry out custodial sentences that the court imposed on offender

relationship between prison and probation

probation supervise prisoners who are released on license

cooperate when a prisoner is to be released from prison

relationship between probation and courts

probation prepares pre sentence reports for court

supervising drug testing under court orders

supervising offenders and supporting rehabilitation for community orders imposed by courts