What happens at court?
The Court is different from other places you go to. It is a place where people who have broken the law (rules) are taken by the Police.
The Court decides what will happen to someone who has broken the law.
What happens for your young person as a witness in court?
For more information, see Going to court for kids and Going to court for teens.
Where will your young person be? Where will you be?
You will be with your young person in the waiting room.
When they are called, they will be shown to the CCTV room. If you are not their support person, you will need to remain in the waiting room. Your young person will have their chosen support person and the Court Attendant in the room with them.
Who is in the court?
Hover over or click a number to find out information about their role in court.
Judge
The boss of the courtroom. If there is not a jury, they decide if the defendant is guilty.
Registrar
Helps the judge and makes sure court process is followed.
Witness (your young person, in another room)
Your young person is there to tell everyone the truth about what happened. There may be other witnesses also.
Witness’ support person
This is someone you know that will support you through this process. While the camera is on, they cannot talk to you.
Jury
The jury is 12 people that decide if the defendant is guilty. They are strangers that don’t know the defendant or any of the witnesses’.
Prosecutor
The lawyer that works for the government. They present the evidence that shows the crime happened.
Defence lawyer
The defendant’s lawyer. They will present the defendant’s case and ask you questions from them.
The defendant or accused
The person accused of the crime.
Prison Officer
They will stay with the defendant while they are at court.
Court attendant
They will be in the room with you while you answer questions to make sure everything is running smoothly.
Court victim advisor
They help you understand the court process and answer any questions you have.
Judge
The boss of the courtroom. If there is not a jury, they decide if the defendant is guilty.
Registrar
Helps the judge and makes sure court process is followed.
Witness (your young person, in another room)
Your young person is there to tell everyone the truth about what happened. There may be other witnesses also.
Witness’ support person
This is someone you know that will support you through this process. While the camera is on, they cannot talk to you.
Jury
The jury is 12 people that decide if the defendant is guilty. They are strangers that don’t know the defendant or any of the witnesses’.
Prosecutor
The lawyer that works for the government. They present the evidence that shows the crime happened.
Defence lawyer
The defendant’s lawyer. They will present the defendant’s case and ask you questions from them.
The defendant or accused
The person accused of the crime.
Prison Officer
They will stay with the defendant while they are at court.
Court attendant
They will be in the room with you while you answer questions to make sure everything is running smoothly.
Court victim advisor
They help you understand the court process and answer any questions you have.
See full list of who is in the court.
- Judge
The boss of the courtroom. If there is not a jury
Twelve people from the community who decide if the person is guilty or not guilty. , they decide if the defendant
The person accused of the crime. is guilty. - Registrar
Helps the judge and makes sure court process is followed. - Witness (you, in another room)
You are there to tell everyone the truth about what happened. There may be other witnesses also. - Witness’ support person
This is someone you know that will support you through this process. While the camera is on, they cannot talk to you. - Jury
The jury is 12 people that decide if the defendant is guilty. They are strangers that don’t know the defendant or any of the witnesses’. - Prosecutor
The lawyer that works for the government. They present the evidence
Various things presented in court to prove an alleged fact i.e videos, witness statements. that shows the crime happened. - Defence lawyer
The defendant’s lawyer. They will present the defendant’s case and ask you questions from them. - The defendant or accused
The person accused of the crime. - Prison Officer
They will stay with the defendant while they are at court. - Court attendant
They will be in the room with you while you answer questions to make sure everything is running smoothly. - Court victim advisor
They help you understand the court process and answer any questions you have.
Your young person won’t be able to see the person who has harmed them, and that person won’t be able to ask them questions.