Criminal Prosecutions

The goal of the Criminal Justice Division is to prosecute fairly, fearlessly and effectively.

Criminal Prosecutions

The Criminal Justice Division conducts criminal prosecutions against accused persons, and strives for just and timely outcomes for accused persons, victims and the general public.

An offence that falls under the Criminal Code of Canada or a provincial statute is prosecuted by the Division when there is a reasonable likelihood of conviction and the prosecution is in the public interest.

The decision to prosecute or to discontinue a prosecution is among the most significant decisions that a Crown prosecutor can make.

The Division handles criminal appeals in the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. It also develops criminal law policy for the province and supports criminal law consultation with other provinces, territories and the Government of Canada.

 
Topics in this section
 

Crown Prosecutors' Policy Manual
A series of guidelines and practice memoranda designed to guide Crown Prosecutors as they make discretionary decisions in respect of specific prosecutions.

Contact Criminal Prosecutions
Contact information for Crown offices in Alberta and a map of their geographic areas of responsibility.

Criminal Justice Process for Adults
Chart describing criminal justice process.

Criminal Justice Process for Youth
Chart describing youth criminal procedure.

Publications
Common Questions
Employment

 Publications
Injecting a Sense of Urgency: A New Approach to Delivering Justice in Serious and Violent Criminal Cases

April 12, 2013

Decreased times to trial and increased compassion and respect for the victims of sexual assault are two of the desired outcomes of this report from Alberta’s Criminal Justice Division.
Best Practices for Investigating and Prosecuting Sexual Assault

April 12, 2013

This handbook is a compilation of best practices and current information to assist those working in the investigation and prosecution of adult sexual assault offences.
Domestic Violence Handbook: for Police and Crown Prosecutors in Alberta

January 31, 2013

This handbook is a compilation of the research, best practices, and knowledge that experts in the area of family violence would agree are essential to effective response by the criminal justice system.
Prevention of wrongful convictions
 Federal Government reports

March 15, 2012

The Federal Government released The Path to Justice: Preventing Wrongful Convictions Report on September 15, 2011. The Report is an update to Prevention of Miscarriages of Justice released in 2005.
Family Violence Information Pamphlet

September 14, 2010

This pamphlet is published by Alberta Justice in collaboration with the Interdepartmental Committee on Family Violence and Bullying Initiative.
Crown Prosecutors' Policy Manual

January 15, 2009

A Code of Conduct for Crown Prosecutors and a series of guidelines and practice memoranda has been created.
Victims of Crime Protocol - What Victims of Crime Can Expect from the Criminal Justice

February 01, 2007

This booklet, published by the Victims Services Branch, Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security.

 Common Questions

 Employment