How Can We Help? - Sources Of Help - Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice System (CJS) of England and Wales

Racism is illegal, but that doesn't stop it happening. There's no reason why anybody should be attacked because of who they are.

You can do something about it.

It is now police policy to treat even 'minor' incidents seriously, not just physical assaults. The definition of a 'racist incident' now adopted by all forces is 'any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person'.

Racist attacks and violence are very serious criminal offences and you should consider reporting what has happened to you to the police. There is no reason why you should ever have to put up with attacks because of who you are, and the Criminal Justice System have the powers under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to help you.

We have designed this section giving specific consideration to racist incidents. We hope that this section will answer some of your concerns and give you the support and information you need to understand and navigate your way through the Criminal Justice System.

The CJS is one of the major public services in the country. Across the CJS, agencies such as the Police, Courts, Crown Prosecution Service, Prison Service and National Probation Service. All of these agencies work together to deliver the criminal justice process.

The work of these agencies is overseen by three government departments: the Home Office, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Unless you are familiar with the Criminal Justice System it is not always easy to find your way about the system.

Nor is it always easy to understand the legal processes and communication between the different agencies.

We have approached this problem in two ways: -

• By providing you with links to portals that deal with the criminal Justice system in general
• By providing you with direct information on each of the agencies involved at a more local level. For example the police section contains contact details of all North Wales Community Beat Managers.

 

General Links

Criminal Justice System

You will find a Welcome to the Victims Virtual Walkthrough Guide to Criminal Justice :

• Virtual Walkthrough

However be prepared for considerable download time. Alternatively you can visit the links at the left hand side of their page for a text version.

 

Policing

You will find fairly detailed information on the role of the Police Force at this BBC site :

• Police Force

 

The Courts

This plan of the court system shows you how each court relates to each other. For example, if a case starts in the County Court, the arrows show you it can either go into the Crown Court, the High Court or the Court of Appeal.

• The Courts

 

Help

Victim Support - 0845 30 30 900

Victim Support helps people cope with the effects of crime. There are separate advice sections for people living in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.