Making the decision
The judge or the jury
Twelve people from the community who decide if the person is guilty or not guilty. decide if the person has broken the law or not.
The jury is a group of adults who don’t know you or the person who has broken the law.
The verdict
Formal judgement whether someone is guilty or not guilty. is what is decided at the end of the court case.
If they did break the law, they are guilty, and the judge decides what happens to them (the punishment). The punishment is decided at a sentencing
This is when the Judge decides what happens to the offender if they've pleaded or been found guilty. hearing.
If they didn’t break the law, they are not guilty. The judge or jury may decide the person is not guilty.
If the judge or jury decides the person is not guilty this does not mean the young person you are supporting has done anything wrong. Let your young person know that they have been really brave to speak up about what has happened to them.
Your job is to support your young person during this trying time.