Going to court
Going to court can be really scary whatever reason you are going for. It's important to know what to expect before you go as this can help you feel more comfortable and confident about it.
What is a court?
Courts are usually big buildings with large rooms inside called courtrooms. A courtroom is where cases about crimes that have been committed are heard. If the police think that someone has broken the law, that person usually has to go to court. The court decides whether the person has broken the law. It is wrong to break the law and people who do can be punished. They are also where decisions are made about divorce or where children are going to live if their parents
split up.
I'm really scared about going to court and giving evidence, what can I do?
It's natural to be worried about going to court if you have been asked to go and give evidence. The judge and jury won't be angry at anything you say. You haven't done anything wrong. Lawyers are not allowed to shout at you, and the judge will not allow this. If you are scared about going to court, you should be able to talk to someone about this. If you can't talk to your parents or teachers, you can call us and we can help.
What will happen when I give evidence in court?
In England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, if you are aged 14 or over, you will be asked to take the oath before you answer questions. This means you promise to tell the truth. The person that asks you to do this is called a 'court usher'.
In Guernsey the Magistrate or Jurats will read through the Oath. If you are not religious you will be asked to affirm you will tell the truth.You are not given anything to read. If you are under 14 they will ask you if you understand what telling the truth means.
Before you go into the courtroom, tell the court usher (or court staff):
- If you have a religion and what Holy Book you use.
- If you are not religious - you can make a different promise that doesn't mention God.
- If you have difficulty reading - the usher will say the words first and ask you to repeat them.
If you are under 14 you will not be asked to take the oath but you will be asked to tell the truth. In Northern Ireland it's a slightly different procedure - the court staff will always read out the oath and ask you to repeat it.
If you are going to court as a witness, you could get help from Young Witness Support scheme. Seven teams across the UK help to prepare children and young people for giving evidence and support them through the court process. These are Cheshire, Devon and Cornwall, Essex, Hull, Northern Ireland, Surrey, and Swansea: Neath and Port Talbot. For more information contact the NSPCC Public Enquiry Point on: 020 7825 2775.
If you are worried about anything to do with going to court or giving evidence, you can call us and we can help you. Talking about what's worrying you can really help you feel better.