How serious a crime does it have toi be for CPS to take it to court ?

In theory the seriousness of the offence is not a major factor, but it would be pointless to ignore the fact that more and more offences which used to be prosecuted before the court now result in a caution or an ASBO and increasingly shoplifting cases are dealt without the intervention of the police. The test is really whether it is in the public interest to prosecute a crime, given the resources which must be devoted to it and the expense of the taxpayer. There must, too, be a reasonable prospect of obtaining a conviction. Cases are reviewed and decisions taken as to whether or not to press ahead. If a person charged with a serious crime can be persuaded to enter a plea of guilty to a lesser offence on the same facts, then this represents a considerable saving of public money.