Juvenile Court - Witness

If you are a witness in a Juvenile Court case, you will be asked to come to court either by the prosecution or the defence. Whoever asked you to come as a witness will tell you the date and time you need to be in court. There may be other witnesses in court as well as you.

• are a party to the case;
• have seen or heard something in connection with the case; or
• have information about someone who is a party to the case.

If you are considered as a vulnerable witness, special arrangements may have been made for you to give evidence: for example, by video link. Such arrangements need to have been made well in advance of the hearing. If you are in any doubt about this, you should speak to the advocate who is calling you to give evidence, well in advance of the case.

What should I do when I come to Court?

You should then report to the courthouse reception. The duty receptionist will inform you which courtroom your matter is in and where to wait.

Who will be in the courtroom?

You should expect to see the following people in the courtroom:

• Magistrates (no more than 3);
• the defendant;
• witnesses
• advocates
• media reporters (newspaper/radio etc.);
• court clerk;
• court usher;
• dock officer; and
• any other person who has been given specific permission to be present.

Although the Juvenile Court is a ‘closed court’, the press can report on matters, but usually press restrictions prevent the publication of details which would be likely to identify a juvenile appearing before the court.

What should I call the judges?

• 'Your Worships'

• ‘sir’ or ‘madam’.

How should I behave in court?

Please switch off or silence your mobile phone or pager before coming into the courtroom. Items such as video cameras, tape recorders, radios or other electronic equipment are not allowed in the courtroom.

You must stand while giving evidence. If you wish to be seated in the witness box rather than standing, you may be able to gain the permission of the Magistrates to do so depending in your reasons. When you are standing, do not fold your arms across your chest or put your hands in your pockets. You must be polite at all times, never shout or use vulgar expressions or interrupt someone else while they are speaking. You must remain calm; everyone will get their turn to speak. Do not interrupt the judge; be aware if you are rude to the judge you may be charged with contempt of court.

If you wish to hand any documents to the judge you must as for permission. You must then hand them to the court clerk or usher, who will then pass them to the advocates in the case and the judge.

What will I have to do in court?

Once you have been called into court, the court usher will guide you to the witness box. You will be asked to either swear the oath on a Holy Book of your religion, or you can affirm (promise) to tell the truth. If you have any trouble reading the oath/affirmation card the court usher will read it to you, you must repeat what they say.

You will then be asked a series of questions by the party, or the advocate, who has asked you to be a witness on their behalf. Once they have finished, the other party/parties or their advocate(s) will also ask you a series of questions. This is called cross-examination. Try to speak clearly and answer any questions directly.

The first party or advocate will then be given an opportunity to ask further questions. This is called re-examination. Finally the Magistrates may ask you questions.

When you have finished giving your evidence, you will be told by the Magistrates that you can be excused and you can either leave the court or, with the permission of the court, sit in the courtroom until the court session is finished.

Please be aware that, under section 27(4) of the High Court Act 1991, all court proceedings are digitally recorded. For further information please refer to our In-Court Technology section.