Legal Definitions - Director of Public Prosecutions

A Director of Public Prosecutions is a legal officer who advises the police and prosecutes criminal cases in England and Wales. They work under the supervision of the Attorney General and are usually a barrister or solicitor with at least ten years of experience.

When a person is accused of a crime, the police investigate the case and gather evidence. The Director of Public Prosecutions then decides whether there is enough evidence to bring the case to court. If they decide to prosecute, they will represent the Crown in court and try to prove that the accused person is guilty.

For example, if someone is accused of stealing a car, the Director of Public Prosecutions will review the evidence gathered by the police and decide whether to bring charges against the accused person. If they decide to prosecute, they will present the case in court and try to convince the judge or jury that the accused person is guilty of the crime.

Another example could be a case of assault. If someone is accused of assaulting another person, the Director of Public Prosecutions will review the evidence and decide whether to bring charges. If they decide to prosecute, they will present the case in court and try to prove that the accused person is guilty of the assault.

Overall, the Director of Public Prosecutions plays an important role in the criminal justice system by ensuring that those who break the law are held accountable for their actions.