AC1.2 Organisation of CJS - notes

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Police

Role: enforce the law, first respondents to a crime scene, secure a scene/ gather evidence/ arrest suspects if necessary

Police investigators interview witnesses & suspects, gather forensic evidence

Have the power to issue cautions or fixed penalty notices

  • The Crown Prosecution Service

Police respond to crime, gather evidence, interview witnesses & arrest suspects

Collect & provide evidence they require to build a case so it can be taken to court

Once police have enough evidence, they prepare a case file & send it to the CPS for a charging decision

Take advice from CPS on charging suspects

  • The courts

Hold defendants in police cells & transport them to and from court

Provide protection for vulnerable witnesses or security at court buildings, especially in cases involving violent criminals

Provide statements & evidence in court

  • HM Prison & Probation services

Police collect / arrest individuals in breach of their probation terms & take them to prison - ensure safe transfer of high-risk offenders

Work together to manage sex offenders that live within the area

  • Voluntary organisations

Victim Support - police refer victims to these services after a crime has been reported & they provide emotional support & practical assistance to victims


Crown Prosecution Service

Independent prosecution service for England & Wales

Role: asses evidence to decide whether to prosecute (full code test) and prepare & presents the prosecutions case in court

  • Police

Advise police on how to charge suspects

Request evidence collected to help build a case

Prepares cases for court, ensuring all evidence collected is legally correct

  • The courts

Put together a bundle that contains everything the judge needs to see for the pending trial (e.g. medical reports)

Prepare & present the prosecutions case in court

Provides anything the judge requests, where possible

Submit a cases to the appropriate court based on the severity


The HM Courts & Tribunal Service

Role: responsible for the administration of the courts & tribunals in England & Wales

Keep criminals in custody

Once a suspect is charged they are brought before a magistrates court, a not guilty plea leads to a trial being arranged

Crown - deals with indictable offences

Magistrates - deals with summary offences

  • Police

Provides the court with evidence / statements

Hold & transport defendants to and from court

  • CPS

Put together a bundle that contains everything the judge needs to see for the pending trial (e.g. medical reports)

Prepare & present the prosecutions case to the court

Provides anything the judge requests, where possible

  • The Prison & Probation service

Update the court with any breaches of licenses / ill behaviour & prepare reports

Keep the court updated on behaviour & officers will transport prisoners to and from court

  • Voluntary organisations

NACRO - work with the court to support offenders by providing rehabilitation programmes & life skills training

The court might include conditions in sentences such as attending rehabilitation programmes that involve collaboration with these organisations


The HM Prison service

Role: carries out sentences given to the offender by the court & supervise offenders in custody, including those on remand

  • Probation service

Prison service prepares offenders for release by providing rehabilitation programmes

Begin to take over the offenders supervision near the end of their sentence, ensuring a smooth transition from prison to wider society

Develop release plans & supervise offenders on license, monitoring their reintegration

  • The Courts

Carry out the custodial sentence the court has imposed

Supervise defendants who have been remanded in custody (refused bail)

  • Police

Facilitating interviews with prisoners involved in ongoing investigations

  • Voluntary organisations

Often deliver rehabilitation programmes in prisons, focusing on skills development, education, & personal growth


The HM Probation service

Role: supervise offenders on license & enforce conditions placed on it

  • The Courts

Prepare pre-sentencing reports on offenders

Supervise offenders who have been given a community sentence by the courts

Supervise drugs testing under the courts orders

  • The Prison service

Supervise prisoners who are released on license

  • Police

Inform police if an offender goes awol & Ned’s bringing in

Give enforcement help

Help to manage offenders by reminding them of court dates / police interviews / questioning

  • Voluntary organisations

Offer mentoring services to offenders to help guide their personal development & enourage positive behaviour

Probation officers refer offenders to these organisations