I'm a witness under 14, I think I'm going to be called to the Crown Court case, what...

[Hellothere]

...will happen? In fact I'm 12. I gave a statement in a murder case, I'm not a proper witness, but the defence wants to call me. One of my friends, A, who is 11 was an actual witness, and the prosecution already called him. It's really really horrible because 1 - it's another of my friends, B, who's on trial, 2 - B is only 14, 3 - A is for the prosecution and I'm for the defence. I have loads and loads of questions and I'm really scared about it, if you culd answer any of them I'd be so grateful for it.

1. B's name hasn't been told to the papers, will it be?
2. will just anyone be allowed into court to watch the trial?
3. if I give evidence do my parents have to be there? (I don't want them to be)
4. will me and A be allowed to talk to each other while the trial's on?
5. will I be allowed in to watch?
6. will I be able to talk to B at any time while he's on trial?
7. does B's mum have to be there?

If you know anything else about how its going to work or what I'll have to do, or what A or B will have to do, please please can you tell me, I don't know anything about court except for what I've seen on CSI (and I'm English anyway) and I can't ask my parents because they don't want to talk about what happened at all.

Thank you so much xx

 

[Helen]

1, because of your ages your names will not become public .
2. because of your ages it is likely to be a closed courtroom and only those directly involved should be there .
3. Normally your parents would have to be with you but it can be arranged if you ask that a social worker stands in for them .
4. no you will not be able to talk to each other it may corrupt evidence .
5. You will be called in to answer questions then escorted out when you are finished again to ensure evidence is not corrupted .
6. it is unlikely you will meet him to talk .
7. His mum is likely to be present unless he asked asked her not to be .

Don't be scared you have done nothing wrong and nobody there really wants you in court , they are asking you for help because they need to know as much as possible about what happened so they can give a fair trial . They ask questions and you just answer the best you can . Try to forget why you are there and just be as honest as possible . The best thing to remember is do not answer questions you don't know the answer to , just tell the judge you don't know and he will accept your word . Many are inclined to invent answers when they don't actually know the truth and that confuses everything .

TV is nothing like the reality , imagine you are going to see the headmaster because you seen bill steal bobs pen , he just wants to hear what you have to say is all so don't worry .

I hope this helps .