A Code of Conduct for Crown Prosecutors and a series of guidelines and practice memoranda has been created. Collectively referred to as the Crown Prosecutors' Policy Manual, these documents constitute the Attorney General's instructions to all Crown Prosecutors, and are designed to guide Crown Prosecutors as they make discretionary decisions in respect of specific prosecutions.

The Code of Conduct for Crown Prosecutors is integral to the Crown Prosecutors' Policy Manual and merits specific mention. This document describes concepts and principles that are at the very core of the considerable public duties and responsibilities of all Crown Prosecutors. As such, these concepts and principles form the foundation of the more specific policy documents that guide Crown Prosecutors in fulfilling these duties and responsibilities.

The Crown Prosecutors' Policy Manual does not have the status of law. It does not in any way override the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or any governing legislation, and it is not intended to provide legal advice to members of the public or to create any rights enforceable at law in any legal proceeding.

The Crown Prosecutors' Policy Manual replaces the Agents' Manual. Updates to the Crown Prosectuors' Policy Manual will be posted on this site as they are available.

Table of Contents

Part I: Introduction

• Preface to Crown Prosecutors Policy Manual
• Table of Guidelines and Practice Memorandum comprising the Crown Prosecutors Manual

Part II: Professionalism, Independence, and the Excercise of Discretion

Guidelines

• Code of Conduct for Crown Prosecutors
• The Decision to Prosecute
• Terminating Proceedings
• Recommencing Previously Stayed Proceedings
• Private Prosecutions

Part III: Pre-Trial Issues

Guidelines

• Extradition and Rendition
• Defense Re-Election Requests
• Early Case Resolution
• Disposition Agreements Between Crown and Defense
• Adult Alternative Measures Program
• Youth Extrajudicial Sanctions Program

Practice Memorandum

• Return of Prisoners and Persons Arrested Outside Alberta
• Judicial Interim Release Orders
• Failure to Appear on Provincial Statute Offences
• Visiting Military Personnel in Alberta
• Service of Documents Upon the Crown
• Waiver of Charges¹

Part IV: Disclosure and the Release of Information

Guidelines

• Disclosure by the Prosecution

Practice Memorandum

• Disclosure of Material Which Constitutes the Offence Itself
• Third Party Disclosure of Police and Other Investigative Reports
• Release of Information to Third Parties by the Criminal Justice Division

PART V: Victims

Guidelines

• Victims of Crime

Part VI: Trial Issues and Post-Trial Issues

Practice Memorandum

• Court Appointed Counsel
• Court Agents
• Challenges to the Validity of Legislation (Procedure on Receipt of Notice)
• Charter Applications (Costs)
• Warrants for the Arrest of Witnesses

Part VII: Appeals

Guidelines

• Summary Conviction Appeals
• Criteria for Appeals to the Court of Appeal of Alberta

Practice Memorandum

• Appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada
• Procedure for Initiating Appeals to the Court of Appeal of Alberta

Part VIII: Evidentiary Issues

Guidelines

• Confidential Police Informants (Privilege)
• Immunity from Prosecution and other Consideration for Witnesses and Informants
• In-Custody Informant Evidence

Practice Memorandum

• Interception of Private Communications

PART IX: Certain Types of Prosecutions and Litigation

Guidelines

• Prosecutions Pursuant to s. 127 of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Domestic Violence Guideline
• Parental Child Abduction
• Trespass on Leased Grazing Land
• Drinking and Driving Prosecutions
• Regulatory Prosecutions

Practice Memorandum

• Special Prosecutions (Sensitive and Complex Prosecutions)
• Obscenity Prosecutions
• Cybercrime Prosecutions
• Prosecutions under Federal Statutes
• Proceeds of Crime
• Forfeiture and Related Orders Respecting Offence-Related Property
• Mutual Legal Assistance
• High Risk Offender Tracking and Dangerous Offender- Long-Term Offender Applications
• High Risk Offender Judicial Restraint Orders (Sections 810.01, 810.1, 810.2 of the Criminal Code)
• Prosecuting the Crown

---

Footnotes:

(1) This document is being updated.