Coronavirus impact on prosecutions
The Crown Prosecution Service have issued new guidance for prosecutors to adopt during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Amongst other things, it requires prosecutors to pay particular attention to the expanding backlog of cases waiting to be heard and that each new case being brought before the Courts will only contribute to expanding the problem further.
Whilst the seriousness of the offence and the circumstances of and the harm caused will still be taken into consideration, it is likely that in less serious cases, an out of court disposal, or no action at all, may now be considered appropriate for cases which, but for the Coronavirus pandemic, would normally have resulted in a Court hearing.
Read the full guidance here: https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/coronavirus-interim-cps-case-review-guidance-application-public-interest-covid-19
