The verdict and sentence
What happens?
At the end of the trial, the person accused will be found guilty or not guilty. In some cases, for example where a jury does not reach a decision, there may be another trial.
If the person pleads guilty or is found guilty, they will be sentenced at a later date. Your police victim liaison officer, court victim advisor or prosecutor will tell you when the sentencing is. Understanding sentences is not always easy. Your police victim liaison officer or your court victim advisor can explain to you what the sentence means.
In setting the sentence, the judge will take many factors into account, including your victim impact statement, reports about the person who was convicted, and sentences given for similar crimes.
You can attend the sentencing, but you do not have to. You can also ask to read all or part of your victim impact statement in court, or have someone read it on your behalf. Your police victim liaison officer or court victim advisor can make the request to the judge.
Appeals
Both the prosecutor and the offender have the right to appeal the verdict and the sentence.
This means a higher court will look at the case again. The prosecutor will talk to you and your family if this happens.
What support can you get?
Understanding sentences
Your police officer in charge, or court victim advisor or support worker can explain what the sentence means.
Victim impact statement
Your police officer in charge, or court victim advisor can make the request to the judge for you or someone you choose to read from your victim impact statement in court.
