An ODPP lawyer must consider a range of factors when deciding whether a prosecution case should go ahead. These include things like:
- considering the evidence that supports the charge
- whether it is in the public interest
- the interests of any alleged victim.
The Statement of Prosecution Policy and Guidelines sets out the obligations, responsibilities of lawyers in the ODPP, and the factors that have to be considered by the ODPP when making decisions about prosecutions.
Statement of Prosecution Policy and Guidelines (PDF, 988.0 KB)
New Guidelines
Guideline Number 16 – Adjudications – Issued 6 December 2023 (PDF, 378.7 KB)
Re-Issued Guidelines
Guideline Number 12 - Victims of Crime – Issued 15 September 2023 (PDF, 191.9 KB)
Guideline Number 13 – Victim Impact Statements – Issued 9 August 2023 (PDF, 168.0 KB)