GOING to court can be a daunting process - especially if you don't know who all of the people involved in the proceedings are.
But the Sentencing Council and HM Courts and Tribunals Service have issued plenty of pointers to help.
Here are some of the people you might see in the courtroom and what they do.
The defendant is the person who has been accused of breaking the law. The defendant usually sits in the dock and sometimes a uniformed officer sits next to them.
The witness supporter may be able to sit with a witness while they are giving evidence.
The witness answers questions from the witness box. A young or vulnerable witness usually gives evidence from another room in the building using a TV link. The magistrates will decide whether a supporter may sit with the witness.
The defence lawyer/solicitor's job to help the defendant. This lawyer acts on their instructions by asking the witness questions. Sometimes a defendant will represent themselves.
The prosecutor is the lawyer who presents the case fairly against the defendant. They do this by presenting evidence and asking the witness questions about what they saw or heard, or what happened to them. They will also challenge the defence version of events.
The usher sometimes wears a black gown and will take you into the courtroom. While you are waiting, you can ask the usher for help if you need anything. If you leave the waiting area, you must let the usher know.
The legal advisor advises the magistrates on the law and helps to manage proceedings in court.
The Magistrates are in charge of the courtroom. There are usually three magistrates, but there may be two or just one District Judge. They don't wear wigs or gowns. The magistrates decide if the defendant broke the law and how they are dealt with.
Members of the public may sit quietly and listen at the back of the court.
Members of the press may also attend in order to cover hearings as part of their duties to keep the public informed of what is happening in court. This may be in person or via the court’s video-link system
To find out more, visit: https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/
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