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 Defendant. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

The Defendant. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

 

The witness supporter may be able to sit with a witness while they are giving evidence.

 

Witness supporter. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

Witness supporter. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

 

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.

 

Witness. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

Witness. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

 

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.

 

Defence solicitor. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

Defence solicitor. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

 

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 Prosecutor. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

The Prosecutor. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

 

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 usher. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

The usher. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

 

The legal advisor advises the magistrates on the law and helps to manage proceedings in court.

 

The legal advisor. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

The legal advisor. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

 

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.

 

The Magistrates. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

The Magistrates. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

 

Members of the public may sit quietly and listen at the back of the court.

 

The public. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

The public. All images: HM Courts and Tribunals Service/Sentencing Council

 

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/