CPS Annual Report 2005-2006 - PDF - Crown Prosecution Service

6
SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE & ACHIEVEMENTS
Aim
The CPS works in partnership with the police, courts, Home
Office, DCA and other agencies throughout the Criminal Justice
System (CJS) to reduce crime, the fear of crime, and its social and
economic cost; to dispense justice fairly and efficiently and to
promote confidence in the rule of law.
The CPS’s overall aim, which reflects the Government’s priorities
for the CJS, is to:
Deliver a high quality prosecution
service that brings offenders to justice,
helps reduce both crime and the fear of
crime and thereby promote public
confidence in the rule of law through
the consistent fair and independent
review of cases and through their fair,
thorough and firm presentation at court.
A Joined-up CJS
Police
Increased detection rate
brings more offenders into
the justice process
Fixed Penalty Notices used to
stamp out anti-social
behaviour
Prolific offenders pursued
relentlessly
Every Criminal Justice Agency
Crown Prosecution
Service
Advice is available to
police 24/7
Charge determined by CPS
Prepares cases for prosecution
Supports witnesses through
the process
Enhanced prosecutor role in
sentencing
CPS Vision
The CPS is working to become a world-class, independent
prosecuting authority that delivers a valued public service by:
• Strengthening the prosecution process to bring
offenders to justice: providing an independent prosecution
service, working with the police from the outset of a case to its
disposal; advising the police before charge; building and testing
the strongest possible prosecution case and presenting that case
fairly in the courts on behalf of the public.
• Championing justice and the rights of victims: assessing
the needs of victims and witnesses and their likely evidence
from the outset and throughout the life of the case; making sure
their experience of the CPS and the CJS encourages them and
others to come forward in future to play their part in bringing
offenders to justice.
• Inspiring the confidence of the communities we serve:
being visible, open and accountable for our decisions; being
responsive to the needs of the community and providing a
valuable public service; being seen as the decision makers who
decide which cases should be brought to court and bringing
them to justice.
Courts
Encourage alternative ways of
resolving disputes
Where cases come to court,
they are dealt with efficiently
Specialist courts deal with
domestic violence, anti-social
behaviour and organised crimes
Trials take place on
scheduled day
Court buildings and facilities
tailored to witness needs
Community engaged in
justice process
Sentences are effective
Participates in LCJBs
Treats victims and witnesses as individuals
Has motivated staff providing excellent customer service
Enforces decisions and penalties of the court swiftly and effectively, with high risk offenders fast-tracked
Works to eliminate racial discrimination
National Offender
Management Service
Swift action taken where
community penalties are
breached
Drug-using criminals receive
treatment
Youth Justice Board
Continued drive to reduce
reoffending