Public Prosecution Policies Now Online

PUBLIC PROSECUTION SERVICE--Public Prosecution Policies Now Online

All prosecution and administrative policies of the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service are now available on the service's website.

"Posting our Crown Attorney Manual on the website gives the public much easier access to a statement of the principles which underlie the decisions made in criminal cases," said Martin Herschorn, director of Public Prosecutions. "While our prosecutorial and administrative policies have always been public information, the three-inch stack of paper in a three-ring binder made dissemination a little cumbersome."

Prosecutorial policies range from core policies -- the decision to prosecute; resolution discussions and agreements; staying proceedings and recommending proceedings; disclosure - to particular policies on such offences as drinking and driving, home invasions and spousal/partner violence. Administrative policies cover a wide range of topics including conflict of interest, review board hearings and witness fees.

"Now, any member of the public can go to our website and browse our policy manual," said Mr. Herschorn. "It also makes it easier for our own Crown attorneys to have the policy manual online where it can be easily referenced. And updating it is a breeze."

Just 18 months ago, the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service became a Canadian leader in prosecutorial policy when it unveiled its newly revamped Crown Attorney Manual. All policies and directives had undergone a complete review. While many policies had been revised or strengthened, others were added, including the core prosecutorial discretion policies.

At the time, Attorney General Michael Baker said the manual defines and guides the prosecutorial process in Nova Scotia with greater precision than ever. He said the manual is indicative of "steps taken to ensure the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service is first-rate."

The policy manual can be viewed at www.gov.ns.ca/pps/ .