Special Types of Practice: Government Lawyers - Guides
Government Lawyers
3. The DPP
Firm / Chambers:
Last updated: 27 Jul 2015
- The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in each state and territory has a statutory responsibility to prosecute people charged with serious criminal offences on behalf of the Crown or the government. This power is exercised under the authority of an Act of Parliament in each state and territory.
- Attached to each DPP is an office comprised of Crown Prosecutors, lawyers and other legal support staff who act on behalf of the DPP in prosecuting criminal offences.
- Part of the prosecution process includes calling victims and witnesses to give evidence on behalf of the DPP.
- People who are called to give evidence for the prosecution are not represented by the DPP. In fact they are not technically part of the proceedings.
- The proceedings are between the state or territory government and the accused person. As a result a victim or a witness in a criminal prosecution cannot tell or instruct the Government lawyer who is handling the prosecution what they want to see happen.
- If you are a victim of a crime you may wish to apply for crimes compensation. The government lawyer working for the DPP is unable to give you legal advice or act on your behalf in relation to accessing compensation. At most they can assist by providing you with a copy of the paperwork for you to give to your own lawyer.
- You can look for a lawyer near you who specialises in victim’s compensation in our free Find a Lawyer directory.
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