What Happens When You Give Evidence

One by one, witnesses will give their evidence by telling the court what may have happened or what they may know.

To help you give your evidence you will be asked questions, usually by the procurator fiscal, lawyers or the children's reporter. The judge or sheriff may also ask you questions.

They may ask you questions about something that may have happened to you or to someone else. Or they may ask you about something you may have seen or heard.

The law does not allow an accused person to ask a witness any questions in certain circumstances.

Before you give your evidence, you will be asked to either repeat a religious oath or to agree that you promise to tell the truth.

The time it will take you to give your evidence will depend on how much information you have to tell the court and how many questions you are asked.

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