CPS — Crown Prosecution Service

One-line definition

The independent body responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police and other agencies in England and Wales.

In plain English

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is an independent body responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales. It operates separately from the police and government, ensuring impartiality in the justice system. The main roles of the CPS include deciding whether to prosecute a case, determining the charges for complex cases, providing legal advice to police during investigations, presenting cases in court, and supporting victims and witnesses throughout legal proceedings. The CPS is organized into 14 regional teams led by Chief Crown Prosecutors, which collaborate closely with local police forces and other criminal justice partners to address local cases effectively. They also have an out-of-hours service, CPS Direct, which gives real-time charging advice to police when suspects cannot be released on bail. Each CPS team handles a variety of cases, including those involving serious and organized crime, terrorism, and fraud. By operating independently, the CPS helps to maintain the integrity of the legal process, ensuring that only the right individuals are prosecuted for the right offenses.

Key facts

• 1Independent body separate from police and government
• 2Responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales
• 314 regional teams lead by Chief Crown Prosecutors
• 4CPS Direct provides out-of-hours charging advice to police
• 5Supports victims and witnesses throughout legal processes.

Who this affects