Are you confident that the criminal justice system is fair and effective?

Welcome to Cheshire Criminal Justice Board Microsite! 

 

PLEASE NOTE: THIS MICROSITE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED AND SOME OF THE INFORMATION MAY BE INCOMPLETE. 

 

Cheshire Criminal Justice Board was established in April 2003 as one of 42 Local Criminal Justice Boards throughout England and Wales. The board aims to improve co-operation between criminal justice agencies to deliver a joined-up criminal justice service and to improve the way justice works in Cheshire.

Cheshire Criminal Justice Board plays a vital role in reducing crime and bringing more offenders to justice in Cheshire. It is responsible for meeting the Government's objectives for the criminal justice system (CJS) as well as the priorities of the local community.
 

Who are the members of the Board?

The Cheshire Criminal Justice Board brings together the chief officers of:

  • Cheshire Police

  • Crown Prosecution Service, Cheshire (CPS)

  • Cheshire and Merseyside Her Majesty's Courts Service 

  • Cheshire AND Halton and Warrington Youth Offending Teams

  • Cheshire Probation

  • Prison Service (Risley Prison)

  • Northwest Regional Office of the Legal Services Commission

  • The local authority

The board meets regularly and is responsible and accountable for:

  • Local delivery of Criminal Justice System objectives

  • Improvement in the delivery of justice

  • The service provided to victims and witnesses

  • Securing Public Confidence

What does the board hope to achieve?

  • To bring more offenders to justice

  • To increase public confidence in the Criminal Justice System.

For more information please follow the 'Detailed Information' link from the menu on the left hand side of the page.

Been Affected by Crime?

If you have been affected by crime click on the links below to find out what help and support is available to victims of crime as well as what to expect from reporting a crime, what happens in court, and how to apply for compensation. You can also access an interactive tour which has been developed to guide victims through the Criminal Justice System.

Follow this link if you have been involved as a victim to crime

Find out what help is available if you have been a witness of crime

See what happens after you have been called for jury service

 

Witness Charter 

The Witness Charter is the next step in the Government's programme of work to raise public confidence in the CJS. In launching the Witness Charter consultation, Home Office Minister Fiona Mactaggart said "the Government has made a commitment to put victims and witnesses at the heart of the criminal justice system. Improving victim and witness care is fundamental not only to bring more offences to justice, but to increase public confidence in the criminal justice system." Members of the public have been consulted on this charter and the agreed standards that criminal justice agencies have to abide by will be in place by March 2008.  For more information please visit the Victim and Witnesses section of this website - click here.

 

Victims Code of Practice

Victims of crime are now entitled to receive a minimum standard of service from criminal justice agencies across England and Wales

The Victims Code of Practice requires Criminal Justice Agencies by law to offer certain standards when it comes to information, advice, support and protection for all victims, with enhanced services for vulnerable victims. Cheshire criminal justice agencies are already meeting many of the service obligations in the new Code, but it is an important step forward that these are set out for the first time.  Victims will have a right of appeal to the Parliamentary Ombudsman if they feel their rights under the Code have not been met. Support for the Victim will include:

  • Police will refer a victim of crime to Victim Support, unless they opt out

  • Police will carry out a needs assessment to check whether a victim is vulnerable or an intimidated victim

  • If the investigation continues for some time without a suspect being arrested, the police will update them every month on progress

  • If a suspect is arrested, the police will update them within 5 working days

  • If no suspect is charged and the investigation closed, the police will update the victim

  • Updates could be by letter, by phone, by e-mail, face-to-face – but will be tailored to the victim’s needs

  • If the victim is identified as a vulnerable or intimidated victim they will receive an enhanced service under the Code – notified within 1 day, not 5, if a suspect is arrested

  • If a charge is brought, the Witness Care Unit will notify them of dates of court proceedings, and conduct a needs assessment to identify any support issues

  • If no proceedings are brought, CPS must offer to meet the intimidated or vulnerable victim to explain why

  • Courts Service must ensure that there is a separate waiting area, away from the defendant or their family

Cheshire Criminal Justice Board marked the launch of the 'Victims Code of Practice' with an online Question & Answer session on 11th April 2006. 

Want to find out more about Community Sentences?

If you would like a presentation for your community group/social club or society, at no cost, the 'Local Crime: Community Sentences' initiative could be just what you are looking for.

For more information please click here or refer to the Cheshire Probation website at: www.cheshireprobation.org.uk

 

 

 

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