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Who We Are and What We Do

Who we are

The Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) employs around 300 people, most of who undertake general prosecutions work or specialist prosecutions services in the areas of organised crime, corruption, commercial crime, drugs and sex offences.

Staff in the remaining sections provide legal support (such as registry and listings services and audio visual and library services) and corporate services (such as human resources, financial and facilities management, IT support and staff development and training).

Nine law graduates will soon complete Articles with the OPP as part of the Articled Clerkship Program in 2008. In addition, 25 Crown Prosecutors are appointed as in-house counsel, comprising eight Senior Crown Prosecutors (all being Queen's Counsel or Senior Counsel), and 17 Crown Prosecutors.

What we do

Deliver a high quality and effective prosecution service

The OPP prepares cases for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) involving people charged with serious crimes and then presents these cases in court using 'in-house' Crown Prosecutors or by briefing barristers from the Victorian Bar.

In delivering its prosecution service, the OPP works collaboratively with other organisations that form part of the criminal justice system, including Victoria Police, Victoria Legal Aid, the courts, victim assistance groups, Corrections Victoria and solicitors and barristers.

As well as preparing and prosecuting cases, the OPP provides advice to the police and other agencies on prosecuting cases, negotiates the early resolution of cases, and keeps all cases under continuous review.

Serve regional Victoria

The OPP prosecutes matters whenever the Supreme Court and County Court goes 'on circuit' to conduct hearings in locations across Victoria.

The Circuit section prepares cases for prosecution and briefs barristers to appear in court and travel to centres such as Ballarat, Bendigo, Horsham, Mildura, Morwell, Shepparton, Warrnambool and Wodonga for hearings.

The section also liaises with and provides advice to other agencies such as Victoria Police and the Court Network and undertakes community education, organising information and educational seminars in regional Victoria for local communities and agencies involved in the justice system.

Support victims and witnesses of crime

The OPP's Witness Assistance Service (WAS) supports and assists victims and witnesses of crime. This includes running pre-court conferences to demystify the court process, providing information about court procedures, conducting courtroom tours and explaining the process involved in giving evidence.

In addition, WAS provides post-hearing debriefings to support victims traumatised by giving evidence or unhappy with the outcome of cases. WAS also produces educational material and provides advice and training for community groups and Victoria Police.

Influence policy and law reform

The OPP takes a keen interest in identifying and pursuing areas of law and legal practice in need of reform and undertakes activities designed to improve and modernise the law, the operation of the criminal justice system and the prosecution process.

The office works closely with Victoria Police, the Department of Justice, the courts, the legal profession and community groups to identify and respond to significant law reform issues and play an influential role in the development of legal policy in Victoria. This is achieved by providing advice to government, supporting the implementation of new legislation and participating in law reform activities.