Public Prosecution Policies Now Online
Public Prosecution Service
June 16, 2004 12:57 PM
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/ .
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The public can now view the policies of the Nova Scotia
Public Prosecution Service online.
Martin Herschorn, director of Public Prosecutions, says
posting the policy manual gives the public much easier access to
the principles behind decisions prosecutors make in criminal
cases.
Just 18 months ago, the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution
Service unveiled its newly revamped policy manual, which was
hailed as a leader in Canadian prosecutorial policy.
The policy manual can be viewed on the Public Prosecution
website (www.gov.ns.ca/pps/).
-30-
Contact: Chris Hansen
902-424-2225
Cell: 902-430-5529
E-mail: hansence@gov.ns.ca
njm June 16, 2004 12:56 P.M.
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/ .
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The public can now view the policies of the Nova Scotia
Public Prosecution Service online.
Martin Herschorn, director of Public Prosecutions, says
posting the policy manual gives the public much easier access to
the principles behind decisions prosecutors make in criminal
cases.
Just 18 months ago, the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution
Service unveiled its newly revamped policy manual, which was
hailed as a leader in Canadian prosecutorial policy.
The policy manual can be viewed on the Public Prosecution
website (www.gov.ns.ca/pps/).
-30-
Contact: Chris Hansen
902-424-2225
Cell: 902-430-5529
E-mail: hansence@gov.ns.ca
njm June 16, 2004 12:56 P.M.