Being a witness
Witnesses are a very important part of court cases and provide vital evidence.
You can ask to visit the courtroom ahead of time. Speak to your court victim advisor, police officer in charge of your case or support worker to arrange this.
If you are called as a witness, your police officer in charge or court victim advisor will tell you when and where you need to be at court. You will also get an official notice delivered to you at home. The prosecutor for the case will talk with you about what you need to do as a witness before you go to court. The court victim advisor or prosecutor can also arrange for you to visit the courtroom beforehand so you can see what a courtroom looks like and know what to expect.
When you go to court to give evidence, your police officer in charge, court victim advisor or other support worker can meet you at, or
If you want someone to meet you at court, ask your court victim advisor, police officer in charge or other support worker to arrange this with you.
outside the court and take you where you need to go. Ask them to arrange this with you.
As a witness, you will be asked questions about what happened or what you know about the crime. You can have a support person sitting near you when you give evidence. This will need to be arranged with the judge. Ask your court victim advisor or your police officer in charge to make the request and necessary arrangements.
When you give evidence, you will usually be able to see the person accused of the crime. In some cases, such as cases of sexual violence, you may be able to ask to give your evidence from behind a screen or via closed circuit TV so that you do not have to
Call the Victims of Crime Information Line on 0800 650 654 to be put through to your court victim advisor or to find out about support agencies in your area.
see the accused person. This will need to be arranged with the judge. Ask the police officer in charge of your case or court victim advisor ahead of time to make the request and any arrangements.
It is important to have support when you are a witness both beforehand, and on the day. Talk to your court victim advisor or support worker about getting the support that’s right for you.
