Preparing for Court

In many cases, the person accused of committing a crime pleads guilty so there is no need for witnesses to come to court to give their evidence.

If the accused person pleads not guilty, there may be a trial and the court needs to hear evidence from witnesses like you. Similarly in many children’s hearing court cases all the parties may agree the facts and the case is settled. Where this does not happen the court will need to hear the evidence.

The judge or sheriff needs witnesses to give their evidence by answering questions, so the court can build up a picture of what has happened. Without witnesses, the judge (or jury) will not know what has happened and will not be able to come to a full decision at the end of the case.

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