ODPP and Criminal Complaints

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is constitutionally mandated to consider the complaints made by victims of crime to the Police, and decide whether or not there is sufficient evidence to prove the complaint beyond reasonable doubt in Court.

If the DPP is not satisfied that the evidence is sufficient to prove the complaint beyond reasonable doubt, the DPP will not institute criminal proceedings. It is the DPP and the DPP alone who decides whether or not to withdraw a charge or complaint that has been made in Court.

The DPP will first consider the evidence in its totality, the reasons for the victim’s request for a withdrawal of the complaint, and the impact on the victim as well as the wider interests of justice before making his decision.