Role of the Manitoba Prosecution Service

Manitoba Prosecution Service is responsible for prosecuting most offences in Manitoba. This includes offences that are described in provincial laws and also federal laws such as the Criminal Code of Canada and the Youth Criminal Justice Act. This includes offences that are described in provincial laws and also federal laws such as the Criminal Code of Canada and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Crown attorneys are prosecutors. In Canadian criminal law, the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. In order to convict, a judge must be satisfied that the Crown attorney has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence. The Crown attorney is not the victim's lawyer nor are te the lawyer for the police or complainants. Rather, a Crown attorney's duty is to ensure that justice is served by presenting all available legal proof of the facts to the court.

Crown attorneys have a responsibility to treat victims of crime with compassion and respect. They strive to be mindful of and sensitive to the needs and wishes of victims. Often, Crown attorneys call upon Victim Services staff of Manitoba Justice to explain the prosecution process to the victim. These staff members prepare victims for court appearances and keep them informed of progress on the case which involves them. For more information about the rights of victims and their families, including the Manitoba Victims' Bill of Rights, visit our Victim Services site. Additionally, the federal government passed a law called the Canadian Victims’ Bill of Rights.