Witness service supporter
I'll be showing you around each area of the court so you know what to expect. You do not need to access all this information at once, and you may choose to visit the interactive courtroom a few times. It is a good idea to look at the courtroom with a trusted adult who can answer any questions. If you click on the FAQs button, then you will find questions and answers that have been asked by other young witnesses. There are different questions and answers in each room.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some questions that other young witnesses have asked.
What is the Witness Service?
The Witness Service is an independent support service that the government fund to make sure that all witnesses are helped at court. They can help answer any questions you have and will be there to support you before you go to court, throughout the trial and after the trial has finished if you want it. They can organise for you to have a pre-trial visit so you can have a look around the court and see what it is like.
Will my court look like this?
All courts look different and so the rooms you see here may look different to the ones in your court. It's a good idea to have a pre-trial visit so you can take a look round the actual court you will be giving your evidence in and find out how it works.
Do the same things happen in each court?
All courts across the country work to the same rules and are expected to provide the support that witnesses need to give their evidence. Your court might not look like this, and there may be differences between courts on;
- whether you can bring in food
- how big the waiting room is
- how accessible the court is
It's a good idea to have a pre-trial visit so you can take a look round the actual court you will be giving your evidence in and find out how it works.
People who can help
We are the people that may be with you at court. Different witnesses have different supporters, but by clicking this button in each room, you will be able to find out where your supporters are likely to be at this time.
Family members 
Intermediary
Interpreter
Other supporters
Family members
I am a member of your family, your carer or someone making decisions about your welfare in place of your family like a social worker.
Intermediary
If you need help to communicate in court, the judge will agree that I can help you. I will make sure you understand what is happening and the questions you are being asked, and help the court understand your answers. I do not work for the court, I am independent and do not take sides.
Interpreter
If you need help to communicate in court, the judge will agree that I can help you. I will make sure you understand what is happening and the questions you are being asked, and help the court understand your answers. I do not work for the court, I am independent and do not take sides.
Other supporters
I could be another worker that has been supporting you. I could be a teacher, social worker, youth worker or from another organisation.
Welcome to the interactive courtroom. There are lots of pieces of information in this courtroom to help you understand what happens when you are a witness at court.
Most of the images you see can be clicked to find out further information, give it a try. If you have any questions that are not answered in the interactive courtroom, check these out with your witness supporter or a trusted adult.
Welcome to the Interactive Courtroom
Choose your character:
Young person
I am a young person who has experienced or seen a crime. I am trying to decide whether to report this to the police. This is my journey through the police investigation process. Everybody's journey is different and can come to an end at different points, but there are people there to help you understand what is happening at every stage.
