What is a witness?
Being a witness is very important, whether this is in a criminal court case or in a children's hearing court case.
If you are a witness, it may mean that you:
- have been a victim of a crime;
- have seen or heard something in connection with a crime;
- have information about someone accused of a crime; or
- are involved, either directly or indirectly, in a children's hearing court case.
Witnesses play an essential role by giving information to the court. This information is known as the witness's evidence. The courts need witnesses to give evidence so that they can build up a picture of what has happened and reach a verdict or decision.
You may have already given information in the form of a statement to the police or to a lawyer.
There are three different people who may call (or more formally known as 'cite') you to be a witness:
- The procurator fiscal (also known as the fiscal or prosecution lawyer)
- The defence or other lawyer
- The reporter to the children's panel.
Being a witness is very important. It's about telling the court the truth about what you know.
The courts cannot work well without the help of witnesses like you.