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Drink-Driving

Volume 170: debated on Friday 30 March 1990

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To ask the Attorney-General what steps he takes to ensure that the Crown prosecution service determines the correct charges to be brought in cases of drink-driving.

Prosecution decisions are taken after careful consideration of the police report and evidence submitted to the Crown prosecution service by the relevant police force. The criteria for such decisions are set out in the code for Crown prosecutors promulgated by the Director of Public Prosecutions in accordance with section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. Subject to the requirement that certain categories of case must be submitted to the Crown prosecution service headquarters for consideration, it is the responsibility of the chief Crown prosecutor to establish arrangements within his area to ensure that decisions in particular cases are taken at a level of seniority commensurate with the gravity and difficulty of the particular case.