![]() not guilty – they will be acquitted (let off the charges) and allowed to walk free from the court.guilty – the judge or magistrate will decide what their sentence should be.If you are not a witness you can watch from the very beginning, but make sure that court staff know that you are there.Ī police officer or someone from the Witness Care Unit will tell you the outcome of the trial within one working day of having been told this information by the court. If you’re a witness at the trial, you won’t be able to watch proceedings until after you have given evidence. If there isn’t a separate area, speak to the court staff – they can make sure you are safe. They should also make sure that you are sat away from their friends and family. If you have written a witness statement, you will be given the chance to look at it again before you give evidence, so you can remember what you said.Ĭourt staff can arrange for you to enter the court using a different door to the person who is on trial. If you’re the close relative of someone who was killed during a crime, or a witness to the crime, you will normally be able to meet the Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor to find out what might happen at the trial. You can contact the Witness Service online or call 03. If you said no at the time, but have changed your mind, you can still get support at any time before or during the trial - just ask the police or your witness care officer to let us know, or contact us. If this is the case, one of their staff or volunteers will call you 3 to 4 weeks before the trial. When you gave your statement to the police, they may have told you about the Witness Service and asked if you’d like them to get in touch with you. Find out more about the Citizen Advice Witness Service.If you like, they can come into the court with you, so you won’t be alone. They’ll be there on the day of the trial to keep you updated and help with any problems. ![]() They can arrange for you to visit the court before the trial, so you know what to expect on the day and you’ll have an opportunity to ask them questions. You can talk to them in confidence (though they’re not allowed to discuss your evidence with you) and they’ll make sure you get all the information and support you need. They have trained volunteers who will give you practical and emotional support and information before you go to court. It is not unusual to feel worried about giving evidence in court.īefore and during the trial you can get free help and support from the Citizens Advice Witness Service, which is separate from the police, the Witness Care Unit and the Crown Prosecution Service. Screens – you may be evidence behind a screen, which means only the judge, jury and barristers can see you, and you are hidden from the person who is on trial (defendant).Everyone in the court will still be able to see the video but you won’t have to be there. This means the witness is in a separate building or room, rather than the courtroom itself. TV/video link – some witnesses can give evidence using a live video link.You will then be asked questions about your statement by the barristers as part of the cross examination. Video statement (‘evidence in chief’) – if you recorded a video statement for the police when you first reported the crime to them, this video can be played in the courtroom to prevent you having to repeat yourself and go into detail again about what happened.Intermediary - people with learning difficulties may benefit from being accompanied to court by an intermediary.Sometimes these can be intimidating for witnesses, such as children, so they are removed. Removal of wigs and gowns – barristers, judges and other court employees wear formal uniforms in court, including wigs and gowns.Giving evidence in private – this involves the court being cleared of anyone not directly involved in the case – for example, the public gallery and members of the press.These are usually brought in for victims of very serious crimes or vulnerable victims – for example children or victims of sexual violence. If you’re going to be a witness in court, you may be entitled to ‘special measures’ designed to help you give evidence.
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