{"id":414,"date":"2023-01-04T14:27:30","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T14:27:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/192.168.2.253\/?page_id=414"},"modified":"2023-02-20T10:46:28","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T10:46:28","slug":"decision-to-prosecute-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.npa.gov.zm\/index.php\/decision-to-prosecute-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Decision to Prosecute"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is responsible for making the crucial decision of whether to prosecute or not. Before making this decision, the DPP must carefully examine the evidence and act independently. This means that no person, including the Government  can influence the DPP&#8217;s decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-essential-blocks-typing-text\"><div class=\"eb-parent-wrapper eb-parent-eb-typing-text-5qvftv3 \"><div class=\"eb-typed-wrapper eb-typing-text-5qvftv3\" data-id=\"eb-typing-text-5qvftv3\"><div class=\"eb-typed-content\" data-type-speed=\"50\" data-start-delay=\"0\" data-smart-backspace=\"true\" data-back-speed=\"40\" data-back-delay=\"700\" data-fade=\"false\" data-fade-delay=\"500\" data-loop=\"false\" data-cursor=\"true\"><span class=\"eb-typed-prefix\"><\/span><span class=\"eb-typed-text-wrapper is-hidden\"><span class=\"eb-typed-text\">Click tabs below to learn more..<\/span><\/span><span class=\"eb-typed-view\"><\/span><span class=\"eb-typed-suffix\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-essential-blocks-accordion\"><div class=\"eb-parent-wrapper eb-parent-eb-accordion-g2zr8xq \"><div class=\"eb-accordion-container eb-accordion-g2zr8xq\" data-accordion-type=\"accordion\" data-tab-icon=\"fas fa-angle-right\" data-expanded-icon=\"fas fa-angle-down\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-inner\">\n<div class=\"eb-accordion-item-9nb4own eb-accordion-wrapper\" data-clickable=\"false\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-title-wrapper\"><span class=\"eb-accordion-icon-wrapper\"><span class=\"fas fa-angle-right eb-accordion-icon\"><\/span><\/span><h3 class=\"eb-accordion-title\">How does the DPP reach a decision to prosecute?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"eb-accordion-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once investigations are concluded and the docket is forwarded to the NPA, the DPP must carefully examine the evidence on the docket and decide whether it is  sufficient to take the matter to Court. This involves a two tier approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first stage is the evidential stage. At this point, the DPP will review all the evidence and assess whether the court is more likely than not to find the accused guilty. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The second stage is the public interest test. At this point, the DPP will consider whether it is in the public interest to prosecute. The DPP will consider factors such as the gravity of the offence, the harm done to the victim, the impact on the community,  the accused&#8217;s age and maturity at the time of the offence. A prosecution will proceed unless the DPP determines that the public interest factors against prosecution outweigh those in favor of prosecution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"eb-accordion-item-vt2xkbi eb-accordion-wrapper\" data-clickable=\"false\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-title-wrapper\"><span class=\"eb-accordion-icon-wrapper\"><span class=\"fas fa-angle-right eb-accordion-icon\"><\/span><\/span><h3 class=\"eb-accordion-title\">Why might the DPP decide not to prosecute a case?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"eb-accordion-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If there is insufficient evidence in a case, the DPP may decide not to prosecute. This is because  an accused is likely to be acquitted if the evidence is  insufficient . It is not enough for the court to accept the victim&#8217;s story, it must be persuaded beyond all reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some cases, despite there being sufficient evidence, the DPP may decide not to prosecute for other reasons. For example, if the offender is 18 years and below, the case may be dealt through the Diversion Programme; or if it is not in the public interest to prosecute.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"eb-accordion-item-8vmunqx eb-accordion-wrapper\" data-clickable=\"false\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-title-wrapper\"><span class=\"eb-accordion-icon-wrapper\"><span class=\"fas fa-angle-right eb-accordion-icon\"><\/span><\/span><h3 class=\"eb-accordion-title\"><strong>How long does it take the DPP to  arrive at a decision?<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"eb-accordion-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each case is unique and is carefully considered. If the case is not complicated, the DPP usually makes a decision within a few days of receipt of the docket. Other cases may take longer to resolve because they are more complicated, such as were there is voluminous evidence to review, multiple accused persons or the DPP requires additional information<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"eb-accordion-item-csvsarn eb-accordion-wrapper\" data-clickable=\"false\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-title-wrapper\"><span class=\"eb-accordion-icon-wrapper\"><span class=\"fas fa-angle-right eb-accordion-icon\"><\/span><\/span><h3 class=\"eb-accordion-title\">Does the DPP prosecute cases on behalf of  victims?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"eb-accordion-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The DPP prosecutes cases on behalf of the Zambian people, not on behalf of any individual. As a result, when deciding whether or not to prosecute, the victim&#8217;s views and interests cannot be the sole consideration. However, the DPP will always consider the consequences of the decision to prosecute on the victim. The DPP will also consider the victim&#8217;s or victim&#8217;s family&#8217;s point of view.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"eb-accordion-item-07da9qi eb-accordion-wrapper\" data-clickable=\"false\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-title-wrapper\"><span class=\"eb-accordion-icon-wrapper\"><span class=\"fas fa-angle-right eb-accordion-icon\"><\/span><\/span><h3 class=\"eb-accordion-title\">Can a decision made by the DPP be reviewed?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"eb-accordion-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"eb-accordion-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, a decision to prosecute can be reviewed. Where the circumstances surrounding a case change or if new evidence comes to light, the DPP may have to review the  decision to prosecute.  When the decision  is  to stop the prosecution after review , the DPP will inform the victim or victim\u2019s family were practicable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-white-color has-text-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:#1875d3;flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\">Criminal Justice Procedure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npa.gov.zm\/index.php\/investigation\/\" style=\"border-radius:10%\">Investigation<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npa.gov.zm\/index.php\/charging-the-accused\/\" style=\"border-radius:10%\">Charging the accused<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npa.gov.zm\/index.php\/decision-to-prosecute-2\/\" style=\"border-radius:10%\">Decision to Prosecute<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npa.gov.zm\/index.php\/court-proceedings\/\" style=\"border-radius:10%\">Court Proceedings<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npa.gov.zm\/index.php\/sentencing-and-appeals\/\" style=\"border-radius:10%\">Sentencing and Appeals<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is responsible for making the crucial decision of whether to prosecute or not. Before making this decision, the DPP must carefully examine the evidence and act independently. This means that no person, including the Government can influence the DPP&#8217;s decision. Criminal Justice Procedure<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-414","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Decision to Prosecute - National Prosecution Authority<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npa.gov.zm\/index.php\/decision-to-prosecute-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Decision to Prosecute - National Prosecution Authority\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is responsible for making the crucial decision of whether to prosecute or not. 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