Crown prosecutor
Crown prosecutors decide if there is enough evidence to take cases to court.
Also known as: Reviewing lawyer
- Starter salary£44,000 a year
- Experienced£71,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a crown prosecutor, you could:
- examine police evidence and decide if it's strong enough to take a case to court
- determine whether a case is in the public interest to prosecute
- explain decisions to police, lawyers, victims and other agencies
- advise investigating teams on which charges are most appropriate
- prepare the case for the prosecution at hearings and trial
- question witnesses and defendants in court
- present evidence to magistrates, judges and juries
- help to support and train new prosecutors
Working environment
You could work in an office or in a court.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- excellent verbal communication skills
- active listening skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent written communication skills
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a crown prosecutor
You can get into this job through:
- working towards the role
- applying directly
Work
You may be able to start work as a paralegal or casework assistant within the Crown Prosecution Service, then apply for a place on a solicitor apprenticeship scheme . You'll need the support of your employer to do this.
Direct application
You can apply directly to be a crown prosecutor, if you have:
- a minimum of a lower second class (2:2) degree
- trained as a solicitor or barrister
- completed your Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course
- finished a 2-year training contract or a 12-month pupillage
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- pass security checks
- pass enhanced background checks
Career path and progression
With experience and further training, you could become a senior crown prosecutor and specialise in particular types of criminal case, for example counter-terrorism.
You might also become crown advocate, senior crown advocate and principal crown prosecutor, managing a team of prosecutors.
Career tips
The Crown Prosecution Service has case studies of people taking about what it's like to work in the service , from trainees to senior staff.
Guides for this industry
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