Associate Prosecutors

On 1 October 1998 legislation was introduced permitting Crown Prosecution Service staff, who are not lawyers, to review and present in magistrates' courts a limited range of cases involving straightforward guilty pleas.

These may include shoplifting, possession of cannabis and non-contentious motoring offences.

Under the supervision of experienced Crown Prosecutors, who assist and advise them, these Associate Prosecutors divide their time between police stations where they review cases and local magistrates' courts.

Caseworkers have to pass a testing training course, validated by an external body, and be formally designated by the DPP before they undertake this work.