Who decides?

The new Public Prosecution Service will consider all cases presently conducted by police and the Director of Public Prosecutions and decide on one of the following courses of action:

• not to prosecute;
• refer back to the police;
• refer for diversionary conference; or
• prosecution

and, where appropriate, conduct prosecutions in court.

In the case of young people who have offended, prosecution will be the exception rather than the rule as the majority of cases will be dealt with through a diversionary approach.