§ 33. Mr. EvennettTo ask the Attorney-General to what extent the cost of prosecution is taken into account when the Crown Prosecution Service decides whether to prosecute.
§ The Attorney-GeneralCost is not a specific factor to be taken into account in the decision whether or not to prosecute. However, as the code for Crown prosecutors makes clear at sections 8(i) and (viii), it may be considered in relation to offences where the penalty is likely to be merely nominal or the guilt of the defendant minimal in relation to that of the principle offenders.