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home > young persons' service > going to court

Giving evidence

When you are a witness you need to give evidence in the courtroom. Sometimes this will be in an open courtroom where you stand in the witness box so that everyone in the courtroom can see and hear. However, young people often give evidence sitting behind a screen in the courtroom or in front of a TV link in another part of the court building.

Screens and TV link (also known as Special Measures)

· Sometimes a screen can be placed between the witness and the defendant so that the witness cannot see the defendant and the defendant cannot see the witness.

· A witness can also sometimes give evidence over a TV link from a special room in the building.

· You sit facing a TV screen, which has a small camera on it. There is another camera on the wall. The cameras are linked to the courtroom where there are other TVs.

· You can hear and talk to the judge and lawyers but you cannot see the defendant, however, the defendant may still be able to see you.

· The court usher or someone from Witness Service will sit in the TV link room with you.

· You will need to check with the police officer dealing with your case to see if they have asked for either of these ways of giving evidence.

Taking the oath

· If you are 14 years old or over the usher will ask you to take the oath before you answer questions.

· If you are under 14 you will be asked to tell the truth and maybe asked questions to see if you know what telling the truth means.

· Taking the oath means that you promise to tell the truth, either holding your religions holy book if you are religious or a slightly different oath not mentioning god if you are not religious.

· If you have difficulty reading the usher will say the words first and ask you to repeat them.

Answering questions

When you are answering questions at court there are three things you need to remember

· Listen carefully to the questions

· Answer the questions as clearly as you can

· Tell the truth

If you don’t understand a question that the lawyer asks you it is ok to say, “I don’t understand. Can you ask me that again in a different way?”

If someone asks you the same question again but you still don’t understand it say “I’m sorry but I still don’t understand” the judge won’t mind if you say this.

Someone may ask you two or three questions together. If that happens its ok to say “Please ask me the questions one at a time.”

Think carefully before you answer and take your time. Say what really happened and try not to leave anything out. Never make anything up and don’t guess. If there is something you forgot to say or you made a mistake then tell the judge.

Telling the truth is the most important thing you’ve got to do. The lawyers need to make sure you are telling the truth there are a number of different ways in which their questions may check this.

· The lawyers may suggest an answer. Do not agree with the suggestion unless it’s the truth.

· Some questions may suggest that what you say at court is different from what you told the police. Just tell the truth.

· Someone may ask you a question you have already answered that does not mean your first answer was wrong.

· The lawyer may ask you about what the defendant said happened. Just tell them what you saw or heard happen or what happened to you.

You can ask the judge for help at anytime during the trial. Tell the judge if you do not understand a question, if you need a break or a drink of water.