The primary function of the Director of Public Prosecutions is to:
- determine whether to institute proceedings on behalf of the State against a person for an offence or a crime on indictment and,
- if so, conduct those proceedings.
The Director is an independent statutory officer but reports to Parliament through the Attorney-General.
The Office of Director of Public Prosecutions provides the following criminal law services to the State of Tasmania:
- conducts all criminal prosecutions on indictment in the Supreme Court and some summary criminal matters in the Magistrates Courts, where required
- conducts the prosecution of regulatory offences
- represents agencies in appeal from Magistrates Courts to the Supreme Court, and in tribunal or board hearings involving government agencies
- represents the Crown in appeals to the Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court.
In addition to criminal services, the Office also provides counsel to assist the Coroner and acts for the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in child safety matters.
The DPP represents the State of Tasmania. It does not provide legal assistance to you or victims of crime.
If you are the victim of a crime, please contact the Victims Support Services.
If you require legal assistance, you should contact your own solicitor or the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania.