Crown prosecutor
Crown prosecutors make sure that decisions to bring people to court are fair and likely to succeed.
Average annual salary (starting - experienced): £32,000 - £115,000
Typical hours (a week): 36 - 38
How to become a crown prosecutor
You can get into this job through:
- working towards this role
- applying directly
Work
You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister in order to get into this career. You can train for these roles through the Crown Prosecution Service Legal Trainee Scheme. You'll need at least a lower second class degree for this.
Direct application
You can apply for this job if you've trained as a solicitor or barrister and have completed your Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course and a 2-year training contract or a 12-month pupillage.
More info
Further information You can find out more about being a crown prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service.
What it takes
Skills & Knowledge
You'll need:
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- knowledge of English language
- excellent verbal communication skills
- active listening skills
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to read English
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Restriction & Requirements
You'll need to:
- pass security checks
- pass enhanced background checks
What you'll do
Day to day
In this role you could be:
- checking facts and documents for each case
- advising which charges are suitable
- explaining decisions to defence lawyers, witnesses, the police and other agencies
- deciding if there's enough evidence to convict, and if it's reliable and can be used in court
- preparing the case for the prosecution
- making sure relevant evidence is put before the court
- presenting the case to a panel of magistrates or judges, or to a judge and jury, depending on the court
- questioning the defendant and witnesses
- summing up the case for the prosecution
You'll also be:
- training other prosecutors and caseworkers
- representing the CPS at casework conferences
Working environment
You could work in an office or in a court. Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Career path and progression
Career path & progression
With experience and further training you could progress to senior crown prosecutor. From there you could become crown advocate, senior crown advocate and principal crown advocate.
