Domestic abuse cases abandoned too quickly when victims retreat – study – The Guardian

‘Police and prosecutors are dropping domestic abuse cases far too readily when victims become reluctant to pursue complaints against often violent partners, an official inspectorate report has warned.’

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The Guardian, 23rd January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Reynhard Sinaga: Attorney general to review rapist’s’ sentence – BBC News

Posted January 16th, 2020 in appeals, attorney general, Crown Prosecution Service, news, rape, sentencing by sally

‘A man jailed for 136 rapes could have his sentence increased after his case was referred to the Attorney General.’

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BBC News, 15th January 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

CPS ‘struggling to cope’ in disclosing evidence to defendants – report – The Guardian

Posted January 9th, 2020 in Crown Prosecution Service, disclosure, evidence, news, police, prosecutions, reports by tracey

‘A shortage of prosecutors and experienced police officers has left investigators “struggling to cope” with obligations to disclose key evidence to defendants in criminal trials, according to a critical inspectorate report.’

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The Guardian, 9th January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

MS patient found not guilty of cultivating cannabis for medical use – Garden Court Chambers

‘Carlisle Court acquitted an MS patient today of cultivating cannabis, following the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision not to offer evidence in court today on a public interest basis.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 6th January 2020

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Rape convictions: Justice system near ‘breaking point’, says watchdog – BBC News

Posted December 17th, 2019 in budgets, criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, news, prosecutions, rape, reports by tracey

‘A review of record low rape conviction rates has found a justice system “close to breaking point” because of cuts. The Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (CPSI) said a “damning” number of cases are lost during “under-resourced” police investigations. But it rejected claims that prosecutors are unfairly selective about cases they charge.’

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BBC News, 17th December 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Jeremy Bamber lawyers challenge CPS over withheld evidence – The Guardian

‘Lawyers representing Jeremy Bamber, who is serving a whole life sentence for killing his adoptive parents, sister and her six-year-old twin boys in 1985, have launched a high court challenge to the Crown Prosecution Service for its failure to disclose evidence they say would undermine the safety of his conviction.’

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The Guardian, 8th December 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Hillsborough victims’ families criticise CPS over handling of case – The Guardian

‘Bereaved Hillsborough families have criticised the Crown Prosecution Service and called for a review of how it conducted the case against David Duckenfield, the former South Yorkshire police chief superintendent acquitted on Thursday of manslaughter.’

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The Guardian, 29th November 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Charges dropped against more than 100 Extinction Rebellion protesters – The Guardian

‘More than 100 Extinction Rebellion protesters have had charges against them dropped after the ban forbidding protest in London last month was ruled unlawful.’

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The Guardian, 27th November 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police officer who was attacked by suspect has been ‘completely let down’ by justice system, police chief say – Daily Telegraph

‘A female police constable who was attacked by a suspect has been “completely let down” by the justice system after prosecutors pursued a lower charge, the chair of the Police Federation has said.’

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Daily Telegraph, 25th November 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Judge slams police treatment of Manchester rape victim – BBC News

Posted November 20th, 2019 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, prosecutions, rape, victims by sally

‘A judge has criticised the way a male police officer interviewed a teenage rape victim, saying it caused “further abuse” for the girl.’

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BBC News, 19th November 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rape victims who had cases dropped could demand review over ‘secret prosecution targets’ – The Independent

‘Rape victims whose alleged attackers were not prosecuted could have their cases reviewed in light of the exposure of “secret targets”, a watchdog has said.’

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The Independent, 15th November 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Exclusive: ‘perverse incentive’ contributed to slump in rape charges – Law Society’s Gazette

‘An undisclosed Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) target may be behind huge declines in numbers of rape suspects charged since 2016, the Gazette can reveal.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 13th November 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Justice system ‘will break down’ and criminals go unpunished unless next government spends hundreds of millions, union warns – The Independent

‘The justice system “will break down” and allow crimes to go unpunished if the next government does not provide hundreds of millions of pounds in investment, it has been warned.’

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The Independent, 11th November 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Half of rape victims drop out of cases even after suspect is identified – The Guardian

‘Almost half of rape victims are dropping out of investigations, as a growing proportion do not want to pursue a prosecution even when a suspect has been identified, according to a Cabinet Office report leaked to the Guardian.’

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The Guardian, 10th November 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Prosecutors criticised over ‘serious failings’ as father and son accused of racially abusing Premier League footballer walk free after case collapses – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 30th, 2019 in Crown Prosecution Service, hate crime, news, police, racism, sport, video recordings by sally

‘”Serious failings” led to the collapse of a prosecution over allegations that racist slurs were hurled at Brighton defender Gaetan Bong during a Premier League match.’

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Daily Telegraph, 29th October 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Tougher hate crime sentences at record levels – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted October 29th, 2019 in Crown Prosecution Service, hate crime, news, sentencing, statistics by tracey

‘Courts are handing down tougher sentences in almost three out of four hate crime cases – the highest proportion ever, according to new figures published today.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 25th October 2019

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Rape victims face ‘culture of disbelief’ despite #MeToo movement, says commissioner – The Independent

‘People who are raped face a “culture of disbelief” when trying to obtain justice, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales has said. Dame Vera Baird QC said a combination of myths surrounding rape and a drop in the number of prosecutions, despite record volumes of cases being reported to police, meant many victims feel like they were unsupported by the criminal justice system.’

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The Independent, 27th October 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

When to assess the public interest in a FOIA request? Four years ago says Upper Tribunal in Maurizi – Panopticon

Posted October 24th, 2019 in Crown Prosecution Service, freedom of information, news, public interest by sally

‘For four years, Italian journalist Stefania Maurizi has been fighting a FOIA battle for the release of correspondence held by the CPS concerning Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange.’

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Panopticon, 23rd October 2019

Source: panopticonblog.com

‘Hot courting’ is causing havoc, says criminal bar – Law Society’s Gazette

‘So-called “hot courting” is delaying trials and fuelling job insecurity for barristers, the criminal bar has warned. Caroline Goodwin QC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said that the practice of different judges using the same courtroom back-to-back has caused backlogs of cases – just for the sake of “saving electric”.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 22nd October 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Prosecutors reconsider prosecuting members of Isil ‘Beatles’ gang in the UK – Daily Telegraph

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is to reconsider its opposition to putting on trial in the UK a pair of British Islamic State terrorists who were members of so-called “Beatles” cell.’

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Daily Telegraph, 22nd October 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk