Witness Support
Attending court either as a victim or a witness can be a very
frightening experience. If you are required to attend at a criminal
court (ie Magistrates or Crown Court) you will be able to obtain
advice, support and guidance from a number of sources.
If the police have asked you to attend court, then they will put
you in touch with The Witness Service which is run by Victim
Support, the national charity which helps people cope with
crime.
There is a Witness Service provided in every Criminal Court in
England and Wales.
This service will provide you with the following assistance:
- someone who you can talk to in confidence
- an opportunity to view the court room before the hearing and to
answer any questions on the court procedure
- a quiet and private place to wait
- someone to remain with you whilst you give your evidence
- practical help (ie completing forms)
- access to people who can answer specific questions about the
case
- a chance to discuss the case when it has concluded
- continued support and assistance to not only witnesses and
victims but also to their families and friends before, during and
after the hearing
The Witness Service is available to anyone who is called to give
evidence in court, including defence witnesses and expert
witnesses.
Also available is a leaflet published by the Home Office
entitled “Witness in Court”. If the police have asked you to
attend court they will provide a copy of this leaflet, otherwise it
can be obtained either from the court directly or from the Victim
Support website.
Useful Links:-
Victim Support Worcestershire for Bromsgrove
Redditch, Rubery, Wythall:
Co-ordinator Ms C Cook, c/o The Ecumenical Centre, 6 Evesham Walk,
Redditch, B97 4EX
Telephone 01527 66462
Website: http://www.vs-worcestershire.org/
North Worcestershire Magistrates Court
Service:
Co-ordinator Mr A
McIlvaney, The Law Courts, Comberton Place, Kidderminster, DY10
1QQ
Telephone 01562 514041
Further information for the support of witnesses may be found
at:- http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/
If you are asked to attend a civil or County Court as a witness,
advice and support is available from the staff at that County
Court.
Local County Courts are:-
Redditch County Court, Church Road, Redditch.
Telephone 01527 67822
Worcester County Court, The Shirehall, Foregate Street,
Worcester
Telephone 01905 730807
http://www.courtservice.gov.uk/