Two U.K. jurisdictions (England and Wales, and Scotland) and Canada are the only countries in the world to have produced prosecutorial guidelines.
Directive to federal prosecutors regarding HIV non-disclosure cases issued by the Attorney General of Canada on December 8, 2018. Reflect the most recent scientific evidence around sexual transmission of HIV, as analysed by Canada Public Health Agency, as well as applicable criminal law as specified by Canada Supreme Court.
This guidance document therefore presents 10 key principles that should assist prosecutors in handling a prosecution – or potential prosecution – involving an allegation of HIV non-disclosure, exposure or transmission. Each principle is accompanied by a more detailed commentary examining the specific application of the principle by prosecutors in the course of their handling of a potential or ongoing prosecution. Each principle and its accompanying commentary is grounded in a consideration of the best available scientific evidence, applicable international human rights standards, as well as the widely-agreed professional standards governing the function of prosecutors within the criminal justice system.
This internal guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for England & Wales sets out how prosecutors should deal with cases where there is an allegation that the suspect/defendant has passed an infection to the complainant during the course of consensual sexual activity. It should be read in conjuction with the external CPS Policy for prosecuting cases involving the intentional or reckless sexual transmission of infection.
Sets out how prosecutors should deal with cases involving an allegation of intentional or reckless sexual transmission of, or exposure to, infection which has serious, potentially life threatening consequences for the person infected.