Frequently asked questions

faq

We appreciate that you may well have a number of questions. Below is a list of some frequently asked questions, which you may find useful.

General questions:

Why am I needed as a witness?
Can I decide on a preferred means of contact?
Will I be kept up-to-date with the progress of my case?
Will the Witness Care Unit be able to help with practical needs and support required?

Questions relating to the court process:

What time does the court open?
Can I park at the court?
What if I have no transport?
What happens when I get to court?
Can I have a copy of my statement before or on the day of the trial?
What are special measures?
Will I see the defendant?
What do I need to wear to attend court?
How long will I be at court for?
Who will be with me at court? Do I need a solicitor?
What support will there be at court for me?
Can I bring anyone with me?
Will my Religious beliefs be taken into consideration?
How do I claim expenses?
Are there refreshment facilities at court?
Do the courts cater for witnesses with a disability?
What if I need an interpreter?
Do I need to bring anything with me?
How do I find out the result of the court case?
Can I stay for the rest of the trial after giving evidence?

General questions:

Why am I needed as a witness?

A witness is someone who makes a statement to the police. Anyone who makes a statement may at some point be asked to attend court to give evidence, there could be points in your statement that the defence or prosecution wish you to clarify in open court. You will be advised by your Witness Care Assistant should your attendance at court be required.

Can I decide on a preferred means of contact?

Yes. The default means of contact is by phone, but if a victim or witness of crime prefers another form of contact (e.g. letter, e-mail, or even text) arrangements can easily be made.

Will I be kept up-to-date with the progress of my case?

Yes, certainly. Every Witness Care Unit (not gulity cases going to trial) and Witness Support Team (guilty cases) has a duty to maintain regular contact with victims and witnesses to keep them updated on the progress of their case, including the outcome and any sentence given to the defendant when convicted.To find out more about Witness Care in Suffolk, click here.

Will the Witness Care Unit and Witness Support be able to help with practical needs and support required?

Yes. Each Witness Care Unit and Witness Support Team will be able to advise you on a range of practical considerations, such as:

Victim Support services
Transport
Expenses
Pre court visits
Support Group requirements
Child care issues
Court day expectations
Interpreters for language difficulties
Medical issues

Questions relating to the court process:

What time does the court open?

Crown Court is open to the public from 9am until 5pm each weekday but court normally starts at 10.30am.

Magistrate Court buildings are usually open half an hour before the first hearing starts each day at 10am.

Can I park at the court?

No. The Magistrates Courts within Suffolk have no facilities at the court for parking. However, all have a car park nearby which can be used. If you retain the parking ticket you may be refunded the money when claiming back your expenses. You should receive directions and a leaflet on the location of the court.

Ipswich Crown Court also has no parking facilities at the court but there are a number of car parks within a short walking distance. Again you may be able to claim back expenses as above.

If you have a disability or difficulty walking distances there are disabled parking spaces close to or at the court. You should however, make sure a member of the Witness Care Unit is aware of any potential problems prior to attending court so arrangements can be made in advance for you.

What if I have no transport?

You should advise a member of the Witness Care Unit or Witness Support at the earliest opportunity if you have any problems about getting to the court location for the trial. They will be able to assist in the making of travel arrangements, which may include rail travel.

If you travel to court by car or bus you can claim expenses back after you have given your evidence.

What happens when I get to court?

When you arrive at court you should report to the Witness Suite advising them which case you are due to give evidence in. You will then be directed to the Witness Service room where volunteers will be on hand to offer you practical and emotional support about the proceedings.

The Witness Service volunteers will also offer you a chance to view the courtroom prior to the start of the trial normally 1 - 2 weeks prior.

Can I have a copy of my statement before or on the day of the trial?

A Witness Service volunteer will provide you with a copy of your statement when you arrive at court for the trial.

What are special measures?

These are options that the court can allow to enable a Victim or Witness to give the best evidence they can at court.
Special Measures apply to Victims and Witnesses who come within the definition of ‘Vulnerable or intimidated’ persons.
The options are as follows: -

Video taping rather than making a statement
Using a video link to the courtroom rather than giving evidence in the courtroom itself.
Using screens in court.
Clearing the public gallery to remove intimidation.
Court officials removing their wigs and gowns (Crown Court only)
Using ‘intermediaries’ where a person cannot communicate in ordinary language.
Using aids to communicate.

A victim or witness may qualify for, or require, one or more Special Measures. Special Measures are not available to all categories of person in all cases.

Will I see the defendant?

While waiting to give evidence you will be kept in a separate waiting room, however, you will be giving your evidence in open court.

What do I need to wear to attend court?

There is no dress code for court; it is at your own discretion.

How long will I be at court for?

Unfortunately we cannot say how long your evidence will take, although the court will try to keep your attendance to a minimum. Once you have given your evidence you will be released from the court.
We would advise you bring a book and some refreshments with you, should you have to wait, however light refreshments are available to purchase within the court building.

Who will be with me at court? Do I need a solicitor?

If you are attending court to give evidence you will not need a solicitor. You may bring someone with you to court if you wish and the Witness Service will assist you once at court.

What support will there be at court for me?

A Witness Service volunteer will be there when you arrive at court. You will also be able to sit and wait in the waiting room provided.
The Witness Service volunteers are there to provide emotional and practical support during the trial.

Can I bring anyone with me?

If you have been granted Special Measures or are under 18 then you can bring someone with you for support.
You can also bring anyone with you to court under any other circumstances but they may not always be able to claim expenses for attending with you so please bare this in mind.

Will my Religious beliefs be taken into consideration?

The Usher or Witness Service volunteer will ask you prior to giving evidence which religious book you would like to swear on or whether you wish to affirm (to affirm - to swear in the court room to tell the truth but not on any religious book).

How do I claim expenses?

Crown Court – An expenses claim form will be provided to you at court, which you should complete and return in a pre paid envelope together with receipts. You will normally be paid within 10 working days.

Magistrates Court – An expenses claim form will be sent to you via royal mail prior to attending court.

Are there refreshment facilities at the court?

The Crown Court has a snack bar and vending machines should you be at court longer than expected, where you can purchase sandwiches, snacks hot and cold drinks. You should come to court prepared.

The Magistrates courts have vending machines or tea/coffee making facilities. Bury St Edmunds Magistrates has Womens Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) available until lunch time where pre-packed sandwiches/rolls are available. You may wish to bring your own food and drink to court in case you are there longer than necessary.

Please make sure you come to court with sufficient money to be able to pay for any food or drink you may want to purchase.

When attending for a trial, the refreshment areas of the court arena are public access and therefore the witnesses should be aware that they may be sitting in close proximity to the defendants and their families.

Do the courts cater for witnesses with a disability?

The court buildings have access for disabled people; for example lifts, ramps to entrances and toilets, hearing loops and disabled parking. In the court itself the witness stand can be made specially accessible as required. However, we do request that you advise a member of the Witness Care Unit prior to attending court so arrangements can be put in place.

What if I need an Interpreter?

If you have to attend court and English is not your first language we will arrange for an Interpreter to attend court to assist you giving evidence. You do not have to worry about arranging this as somebody at the Witness Care Unit will do this on your behalf.

Do I need to bring anything with me?

No, unless you have been specifically asked to bring something by either the Officer in the Case or your Witness Care Assistant for the hearing.

You may want to bring a book or something else to read, as we do not know how long you will be at court. If you are attending with your child, bringing something to keep them entertained is always a good idea.

As we cannot predict how long you will be at court, you may wish to bring a drink or some food with you although see above for refreshment facilities.

How do I find out the result of the court case?

A member of a Witness Care Unit or Witness Support will update you with the result following the conclusion of the case.

Can I stay for the rest of the trial after giving evidence?

Should you wish to stay, it will be at your own expense. You will also need to liase with the Usher or Witness Service volunteer, who will advise you where to go to watch the remainder of the trial.

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