PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 20135, 27 March 1929, Page 14

PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

DliliES OF OSREOTOS In carrying out his j-c.-jiousi l)ie <lnties the director acts in every case under the guidance of the Attorney-General, writes a barrister, in (lie .Manchester ‘ Kveiiing .News.’ in describing the duties of llio director of public prosecutions. There is no law whatever at the present time to prevent private, prosecutions. The director may, however, in Ins discretion, stop jn at any time and undertake the proceedings himself, as he is empowered to do at any stage ami in any emirl. Tie is bound to undertake the prosecution ol all capital olfences, coinage eases, and proceedings ordered cither by a Secretary of Slate or by the A ttoniey-Gene-ral. with, among other things, mailers of public importance which are not likely to go any farther without Jus intervention. in the event, moreover, of a private prosecutor being unwilling to appear in the Court of Criminal Appeal the director may defend the appeal if lie thinks fit. In cases of difficulty he is always ready to give advice to justices, their clerks, chief officers of police, or other persons. Fiirthc. private prosecutions may receive from him authority to obtain special evidence at the public expense, or even he allowed costs occasioned in some circumstances without his permission. Again, the director may instruct counsel on the nomination of the At-torney-General or employ some local solicitor to prosecute as his agent. Ho has however, a permanent stall of both hamsters and solicitors, Every chief police officer is required to inform the director immediately of all capital offences committed in his district, and of other crimes in which assistance seems desirable. On taking up a prosecution the director at once communicates with the coroner or the magistrates, who must forward him all the necessary original documents connected with the ease, copies being then made. Before commencing a political prosecution the director always consults with the law officers of the Crown and with the Homo Secretary, the deciding factor being whether or not such a prosecution would best serve the public interests. Every year a letnrn, -which is eventually laid before Parliament, is made to the Homo Office of all the public prosecutions. ____________