Legal Definitions - Crown case

In legal systems that derive from English law, such as those in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, a Crown case refers to a criminal prosecution initiated and pursued by the state.

The term "Crown" represents the sovereign (the monarch) as the head of state, symbolizing the public interest and the authority responsible for enforcing criminal law. Therefore, a Crown case is essentially a legal action brought by the government against an individual or entity accused of committing a crime.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Theft Prosecution

  Imagine a situation where a person is arrested for shoplifting from a department store. After investigation, the police gather evidence, and the public prosecutor's office (acting on behalf of the Crown) decides to bring charges. The subsequent legal proceedings, from the initial charge to the trial, would be referred to as a Crown case against the accused individual. The state, represented by the Crown, is seeking to prove that the individual committed the crime of theft.

• Example 2: Environmental Pollution Charges

  Consider a large manufacturing company that is found to have illegally dumped toxic waste into a river, causing significant environmental damage. The government agency responsible for environmental protection investigates and refers the matter to the public prosecutor. When the prosecutor files charges against the company for violating environmental laws, this legal action becomes a Crown case. Here, the Crown is prosecuting a corporate entity for a criminal offense that harms the public interest and environment.

• Example 3: Assault Trial

  If an individual is involved in an altercation and is accused of assault, the police will investigate. If there is sufficient evidence, the public prosecutor's office will decide to press charges. The entire legal process, from the formal accusation to the court trial where the prosecutor presents evidence and arguments to secure a conviction, is known as a Crown case. The state, through its legal representatives, is pursuing justice for the alleged victim and upholding public safety.