Assuming the case is one that will be heard in the Magistrates Court, the following is a brief guide as to how the case will progress from the perspective of you as a witness .


A member of staff at either a Witness Care Unit of Witness Support Team will contact you after the first hearing and update you with the outcome.

Click here to learn about the support available from the Witness Care Units and Witness Support Teams


If the defendant pleads not guilty, a trial date will be fixed.


A member of the Witness Care staff will advise you if you are required. They will also inform you what will happen if and when you will be needed.

On the day of the trial, you should attend the relevant court and report to the witness suite to inform them that you are a prosecution witness. You will then be shown to the Witness Service Office, where volunteers are on 
      hand to answer any further questions and offer support during your time at
      court.

When it is your time to give evidence, you will be shown to the courtroom and escorted into the witness box. The Usher of the court will ask you to take the oath to tell the truth. A copy of the religious book will be given to 
      you and the usher will read the oath and ask you to repeat it back to
      them. However, if you are not religious you can affirm, which means that
      you promise to tell the truth.

Whilst giving evidence, you may be cross-examined by the Magistrates, Defence Solicitor and the Prosecution. Once they have finished hearing the evidence, you will be released from the courtroom and you are free to go.

After you have been to court and given your evidence you can now complete your witness expenses claim form and send it off in the pre paid envelope provided.

Once the trial has concluded, a member of the Witness Care Unit will contact you to inform you of the outcome.