1.
Will my child have to testify?
If
your child has been a victim or a witness to a criminal act, there is
a possibility that he/she may have to testify in court. This would only
happen if the person who was charged (the “accused”) plead
“not guilty” and the matter was committed to a trial.
If
your child was videotaped when he/she spoke to the police, he/she will
still need to testify in court in order for the defense attorney to
ask him/her questions.
2.
Is it normal for the court process to take so long?
A
court case could take as little as three to four months (usually in
matters in which the accused has plead guilty) and could take as long
as 14 months or more for the whole case to be completed from the time
the charges were laid.
3.
Do I need a lawyer?
If
you have been a victim or a witness to a criminal act, you do not need
a lawyer. Although the Prosecutor (or Crown Attorney) may work closely
with victims or witnesses, it is a mistake to believe that the Crown
Prosecutor is their lawyer.
4.
How long will I be there on the day of court?
It
is impossible to predict how long you will be required to be at the
courthouse on the day of court. It could be anywhere from half an hour
to the full day, and sometimes you may be required to come back another
day.
5.
Will the accused be in the courtroom?
Yes.
Someone who has been charged with a crime is considered “innocent
until proven guilty,” and has the right to listen to the evidence
brought against him/her.
6.
Will there be strangers in the courtroom?
Courtrooms
are considered public places, so there is a possibility that strangers
may be in the courtroom while you testify. This is a topic that can
be addressed in our court preparation sessions.
7.
Why do I need court preparation when I’ve seen court on television?
The
courtrooms that are seen on television (Judge Judy, Law & Order,
Ally McBeal, etc.) are not anything like real courtrooms. Court T.V.
shows are usually overblown, deal with American law, and many deal with
civil cases rather than criminal matters. Our court preparation sessions
prepare children and youth for real, Canadian criminal court proceedings.