Not every offence is commenced by the police or the Crown Prosecution Service. Regardless of how an investigation is instigated or how court proceedings are commenced the law is still the same, you still have the same rights and the same considerations still apply.

Criminal offences are commonly brought by the following bodies:

• RSPCA for animal welfare prosecutions
• Trading Standards Department for offences relating to Consumer Law
• Education Authority for non-school attendance
• Department for Work and Pensions for benefit fraud

Offences commenced by these organisations are usually done so by way of summons.

Your rights are still the same and just because offences are dealt with by organisations other than the police or the Crown Prosecution Service does not mean that they are any less serious or do not attract a custodial sentence if serious enough. If you need advice for offences such as these please contact us.