Criminal law solicitors advise and appear in court on behalf of both accused persons and the prosecution, handling the full spectrum of offences from minor motoring misdemeanours to more serious crimes, including murder. They deal with all aspects of the criminal justice system, from the initial police station interview to the final contested hearing before the court.

Robin Jones is a lawyer with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the government department responsible for prosecuting all those in England and Wales who are charged with a criminal offence. Working in Liverpool (although technically based in York), Robin recently joined the leadership and learning team as legal development manager, designing legal training for the CPS.

Robin studied law at University College London and began his career at a small firm in North Wales. He started prosecuting for the then North Wales Police Prosecution Department, transferring to the CPS when it was set up in 1986. He has been an active prosecutor since, and despite his new training role he continues to spend some time in court once a month - "if you don't use it, you lose it!".

Describing what it's like to be a criminal prosecutor, Robin explains that some days are spent in court, others in the office and still others giving pre-charge advice to the police: "If it's a day in court, I'd get to the office at about 7:15am, read through the files again and head down to court. I'd often have solicitors, police or probation officers to speak to, or would need to liaise with witnesses or the witness service. If it's a remand court, there's lots of management required: making enquiries, checking facts, dealing with queries from the defence and the court and reading through overnight remand files. There may well be victims and witnesses or their families present at court, particularly in relation to very serious or sensitive cases, and part of the job is helping them understand the prosecution process."

On a desk-based day, Robin explains that his role is defined by procedures: "The CPS takes over and prosecutes all criminal prosecutions commenced by the police. This means there is a statutory responsibility to review any files that come through and apply the tests under which we examine each case. The first is an evidential test - is there sufficient evidence to prosecute? The second is a public interest test - is it in the public interest to prosecute? For example, a case that involves a 79-year-old woman who's never been in trouble and admits to stealing a can of beans from Tesco may fail the public interest test and not require prosecution."

Still in the office, Robin outlines exactly what it means to prepare a file for court: "It can include examining evidence and ensuring you have everything you need, dealing with queries from the public and police and handling witness problems. A case may require court applications, such as applying for special measures for witnesses - for example, giving testimony from behind a screen. There may also be evidence in the hands of the prosecution that does not form part of our case, such as previous convictions of prosecution witnesses. If these either undermine the prosecution case or assist the defence, they must be disclosed. Decisions of this nature are taken in relation to almost every case we deal with."

On another day, Robin might find himself in the police station: "In a substantial number of types of offence, the police need to seek the CPS's authority before they can charge. So I used to go to the police charging centre for half a day and deal with all cases that required our authority. It would be my job to consider the evidence with the individual police officers and decide whether to charge, not charge or request further evidence before a decision could be taken."

Working at the CPS means exposure to the full range of criminal activity, from speeding to murder. Robin says: "All crimes require that all of the statutory procedures be followed, but particularly in the more serious or difficult cases they have to be carefully managed from inception to being dealt with at court. And all the normal things - evidence, disclosure, special measures, special requests from the defence, witness issues - tend to be magnified in those more serious cases. The more experienced you get, the more capable you are of dealing with a heavier and more serious caseload. You don't specialise to the extent that many lawyers do in private practice - because we are all criminal law specialists anyway - but clearly you do develop specialist areas of knowledge. There are areas where we do actually have specialist prosecutors who receive specific training and expertise, such as rape, serious sexual offences and youth work. We also have area champions, who have particular expertise in such areas as firearms, immigration law and road traffic, but most lawyers in the CPS cover a broad range of work."

Robin has always enjoyed this diversity, which is at the very heart of the role of CPS prosecutor: "All cases are in a way challenging, whatever the level, so I can't pick one out as a particular highlight. In fact, the best part is feeling that you've done a good job for the public, be that in a remand application, a conviction or even something that leads to an acquittal. I've always been driven by the desire to do a good job for the public. I've got that in common with lots of public servants, I think. And obviously it's great when you’re involved with a case and it all comes together, and the result is right." Less enjoyable is when "things go very slowly in court, which can be rather testing".

Robin thinks that those interested in crime need a variety of skills: "Criminal lawyers need to have good people skills and, as a prosecutor, obviously you need to be able to advocate. You've got to have the ability to think clearly and accurately on your feet and under pressure." In order to prepare for a (legal!) career in crime, Robin has a few tips: "I'd advise getting a job placement either with us or with a defence solicitors' firm. Go to court, sit at the back and see what happens; people-watch, basically! You'll see the sort of life that is involved. There are ups and downs to every job, and some days when you wonder why you bother, but others when you just think, "What a great day.""