Criminal Justice System Organisation
The Criminal Justice System is like a well-oiled machine with different agencies working together to investigate crimes, prosecute offenders, and carry out sentences. Each agency has specific roles but they all interconnect.
Key agencies include: Parliament and judges create laws, police investigate crimes and gather evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decides whether to prosecute cases, courts hear cases and pass sentences, and HM Prisons & Probation carry out those sentences.
The CPS handles around 500,000 cases annually, advising police on investigations and ensuring prosecutions meet the "full code test". Meanwhile, HM Courts & Tribunals start all cases in Magistrates' Court, with serious offences moving to Crown Court for jury trials.
Remember: All these agencies work together - police gather evidence, CPS decides on charges, courts make decisions, and prison/probation services carry out sentences.