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

More Information

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.

Further Information

You can find more information about training and working as a crown prosecutor through:

• the Crown Prosecution Service
• Civil Service Careers

Skills and knowledge

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

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass security checks
• pass enhanced background checks

Day-to-day tasks

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.

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.