The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions acts in the public interest to prosecute those accused of crime and advise the police and other Government Departments on prosecutions. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) heads the DPP’s office. The position was created by the Bermuda Constitution Order of 1968 and the Governor appoints the DPP. The DPP is Government’s principal legal adviser on criminal matters. The DPP has the power to institute, conduct and discontinue criminal prosecutions in the public interest.

Activities

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is primarily responsible for prosecuting all Magistrates’ and Supreme Court matters. However, many of the Prosecutors within the Department have other responsibilities, which include participation in various committees.

General Functions And Roles:

• Advising the Police and Government Departments
• Law Reform
• Sexual Assault Response Team
• National Anti- Money Laundering Committee
• Witness Care Unit
• Advising the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board 

Prosecutions In The Magistrates Court

• All Summary Trials
• Plea Court
• Drug Treatment Court
• Probation Review Court
• Juvenile Court
• Long Form and Short Form Preliminary Inquires
• Legal Applications e.g. Bail Applications

Supreme Court

• Appeals from the Magistrates Court
• Trials by way of Indictment
• Sentencing
• Legal Applications e.g. Habeas Corpus

Court Of Appeals

• Appeals from the Supreme Court

Privy Council

• Appeals from the Court of Appeal

The DPP also conducts presentations for organizations such as:

• The Bermuda Police Service
• The continuing education program of the Bermuda Bar
• The Women's Resource Centre