Who makes 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 didn’t break the law they are not-guilty.
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.
You have been really brave to speak up about what has happened to you.
If the Judge or Jury decides the person is not-guilty, just know that you have been really brave to speak up about what has happened to you.
Your job is to tell the truth and answer all the questions you can answer.
If they did break the law they are guilty and the judge decides what happens to them (the punishment).