Director of Public Prosecutions (Victoria)

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Victoria, Australia, is the independent statutory officer responsible for conducting criminal prosecutions on behalf of the State of Victoria. The DPP is appointed by the Governor of Victoria and is independent of the government, ensuring prosecutions are initiated and conducted fairly and impartially, free from political interference.

The primary role of the DPP is to manage and oversee the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP), the agency that prosecutes indictable offences (serious criminal offences that are tried by a judge and jury) in the County Court and Supreme Court of Victoria. The OPP also provides advice and assistance to Victoria Police and other investigative agencies in relation to criminal matters.

The DPP’s responsibilities include:

• Making decisions about whether to proceed with a prosecution, based on an assessment of the evidence and whether there is a reasonable prospect of conviction and whether the prosecution is in the public interest.
• Managing the conduct of prosecutions in the County Court and Supreme Court.
• Developing and implementing prosecution policies and guidelines.
• Providing legal advice to Victoria Police and other investigative agencies.
• Appearing as counsel in significant criminal cases.

The DPP also has a role in relation to appeals, both in the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) and the High Court of Australia.

The position is established under Victorian legislation, principally the Criminal Procedure Act 2009.