Topic 13: Relationships Between Agencies

Question 1

Describe the relationship between the police and CPS

Answer 1

• the CPS work very closely with the police service
• the CPS provides advice to police on evidence needed for the CPS to prosecute and will advise police on possible lines of enquiry
• if evidence presented to CPS doesn’t not pass the evidential test then they will send it back to the police
• CPS direct is available 24/7 for the police to contact the CPS

Question 2

Describe the relationship between police and the courts

Answer 2

• the police and courts do not have an equal relationship since courts have power over the police
• courts can demand police to give testimonial evidence
• if police wish to extend custody time then they must seek permission from the courts to do so
• police must provide sufficient evidence to courts when requesting a warrant of arrest or stop and search
• if a person is charged by the police then they are automatically entitled to Bail under the Bail Act 1976, the police and courts will liaise about the date of the accused’s initial court date, bail is decided during this. Those denied bail are returned to the police pending their trial

Question 3

Describe the relationship between police and prison

Answer 3

• the police work with prisons, particularly towards the end of an offenders sentence through MAPPA.
• they liaise regarding the release of the prisoner and any further monitoring
• if in breach of conditions police will arrest them and place them before a court where they potentially return to custody
• police manage the list of child sex offenders in an area and must liaise with prisons about the release of a person placed on the Sex Offenders Register

Question 4

Describe the Police and Probation relationship

Answer 4

• Police may be called upon to assist if a person on probation re offends
• the police will arrest an offender when released from prison who breaches their conditions
• both agencies attend MAPPA meetings to assess and report on an offenders risk to the public

Question 5

Describe the relationship between the CPS and courts

Answer 5

• the CPS prepare for the court hearings and keep a case under review until trial
• in each case CPS consider if there is sufficient evidence and whether it is in the public interest for a trial in court
• the CPS will attend court and carry out advocacy on behalf of the victim of the crime
• CPS also contact defence lawyers who may negotiate various aspects of the criminal case e.g. plea bargaining
• the CPS will inform the courts of any developments
• CPS may appear in an appeal case for an unduly lenient sentence or an appeal against the initial verdict

Question 6

Describe the relationship between courts and probation

Answer 6

The probation services may be required to attend either magistrates or crown court to provide a report about the offenders, this is called a pre sentence report
- probation service may need to provide information at court about the offenders progression on a community order

Question 7

Describe the relationship between prison and probation

Answer 7

• if a prisoner has served between 2 days and 2 years in prison then they must serve a probation order of atleast 12 months
• the probation service will liaise with the prison when an offender is about to be released
• both attend MAPPA to assess offenders risk to the public
• probation service will over see the prisoner once they are released on license and there will be a liaise regarding if recall is appropriate

Question 8

Describe the relationship between defence lawyers in the Justice system

Answer 8

• Defence Lawyers need to attend the police station to advise clients
• a defence lawyer and CPS appear in court together and conduct the case for the defence
• a defence lawyer may need to attend prison to visit a client remanded in custody