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The service available to witnesses include:
A visit to an empty court in advance of the trial
An information desk, close to the court entrance, to report to on the day
Information on court procedure
Private waiting rooms with books, magazines, etc
Someone to talk to about your concerns
Someone to be your link with court staff.
We support:
Prosecution and defence witnesses, including victims
Victims who may not be called as witnesses
Families and friends of witnesses or victims
Professionals accompanying witness, for example teachers and social workers.
Most court cases are dealt with by magistrates' courts. More serious cases have to be sent to the Crown Court for trial by jury. Either way, if you are asked to appear as a witness in court, or if you are a victim or a family member or friend and would like to attend the trial, you may not know what to expect or how to find out more about it. The Witness Service provide by Victim Support Surrey, is there to provide practical and emotional support to victims, witnesses, their families and friends, before, during and after the court case. The Witness Service is independent of the court, police and other organisations there. It is there just to help you cope with the experience.
All witnesses should be given a copy of the leaflet Witness in court which will explain what is likely to happen. You should also be sent a copy of our leaflet Going to court (available from the Witness Service for the court you are attending) and information about how to get to the court and about the facilities available there.
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