Court support
It’s good to know about court but you can’t remember everything.
It’s good to know about the Judge and the people on your side and where you will sit.
It’s having someone on the day with you to explain things as they happen that helps the most.
- Who’s the whatsi again? from A Hand to Hold (p214)
It can be good to have friends or family to travel with you to and from court, to wait with you at court and to have lunch or morning tea with you. Several courts have witness rooms where you can wait. Speak to the police officer, prosecutor or witness/victim support service about the availability of these rooms.
You can have someone with you while you give evidence at court. This is known as court support. Court support can be provided by a number of services and victim support groups depending on your needs. A friend or family member can also provide court support as long as they are not a witness in the case. The Judge will decide where they sit so that you can see them. They cannot help you to answer the questions but it may be comforting to have them near you. You can speak to the prosecutor and the Witness Assistance Service at the ODPP about the role of your support person. |
