Your rights as a witness to crime

You should have someone you can contact if you have questions about the case or need support.

They should keep you informed about important updates, explain what happens next and help you understand your role as a witness.

If you need extra support, they can also put you in touch with organisations that may be able to help.

If you need to go to court to give evidence, you can claim certain costs to help cover your expenses.

This may include travel costs, food and money you've lost from taking time off work. You may also be able to claim for childcare or other care costs.

There are limits on how much you can claim. Your main point of contact can explain what's covered.

Ask the court staff or your main point of contact for a witness expenses claim form. You'll need to provide details of your costs and may be asked for receipts or proof of lost earnings.

It's best to ask about expenses before you leave court. If you've already left, contact your Witness Care Unit or the person who asked you to attend court.

They can explain what you can claim, how to send your form and when you can expect to be paid.

You should be asked about any support you might need to help you give evidence.

This is called a needs assessment. It's a chance to talk about anything that might make giving evidence difficult or worrying for you.

For example, you might need help with communication, accessibility or feeling safe at court.

Your needs should be considered so the right support can be arranged where possible.

If you're considered vulnerable or intimidated, you may be able to get extra help when giving evidence. This is known as special measures.

Special measures could include giving evidence from behind a screen or using a live video link, so you don't have to be in the courtroom.

The court decides which special measures can be used. You can talk to your main point of contact about what might help you.

You should be given information to help you understand what happens at court and what you might need to do.

This could include where to go, who will be there and what happens when you give evidence.

You may also be able to visit the court before the trial, so you can become more familiar with the building and what to expect.

You can ask questions if there's anything you're unsure about.

You have the right to be treated politely, fairly and with respect throughout your experience as a witness.

You should be listened to, given clear information and treated with understanding.

Your personal needs and circumstances should be considered, and you should not be treated unfairly because of who you are.

If you're unhappy with how you've been treated, you can ask how to raise your concerns.

Special measures are changes the court can make to help you give evidence.

For example, you might be able to give evidence from another room using a video link. Or you might be able to sit behind a screen so you don’t have to see the person accused of the crime.

Different types of support are available, depending on your needs and circumstances.

You may be able to get special measures if you’re considered a vulnerable or intimidated witness.

This could include:

• Children and young people under 18.
• People with a disability or physical or mental health condition that affects their ability to give evidence.
• People who feel frightened or distressed about giving evidence.
• People affected by crimes such as domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, modern slavery or terrorism.
• People whose family member has died because of murder or manslaughter.
• People affected by crimes involving weapons.

Not everyone in these circumstances will need the same support.

You can talk about anything that might make giving evidence difficult for you. Your needs should be considered when deciding what help may be available.

There are different ways the court may be able to help you give evidence.

Give evidence behind a screen

A screen or curtain can be placed around you when you give evidence in court.

This means you won’t have to see the person accused of the crime, and they won’t be able to see you while you’re giving evidence.

Give evidence using a live video link

You may be able to give evidence from another room in the court building, or somewhere else, using a live video link.

The people in the courtroom will be able to see and hear you on a screen.

This means you may not need to go into the courtroom to give your evidence.

Have your evidence recorded on video

In some cases, the police may record you talking about what happened instead of taking a written statement.

This recording can then be played in court as part of your evidence.

You may still need to answer questions, but other special measures could also be available to help you.

Record your answers to questions before the trial

You may be able to answer questions from the lawyers before the trial takes place.

Your answers are recorded on video and played during the trial.

In some cases, this means you won’t need to attend the trial to give evidence.

Give evidence in a private courtroom

In some circumstances, members of the public may be asked to leave the courtroom while you give evidence.

This can help you feel more comfortable talking about what happened.

Some people, including those who are legally required to be there, may still be present.

Have wigs and gowns removed

Judges and lawyers sometimes wear traditional wigs and gowns in court.

These may be removed while you give evidence to help the courtroom feel less formal or intimidating.

Get help with communication

If you find it difficult to understand questions or explain your answers, extra help may be available.

For example, an intermediary can help you understand what’s being asked and communicate your answers clearly.

You may also be able to use communication aids, such as pictures or other tools.

If you’re worried about giving evidence, you can talk to the police officer dealing with your case or your Witness Care Unit.

Tell them about anything that might make giving evidence difficult for you. They can explain what support may be available.

If you’re giving evidence for the prosecution, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) can ask the court for special measures on your behalf.

If you’re giving evidence for the defence, you can speak to the defence lawyer.

The judge or magistrates will decide which special measures can be used. They aren’t automatically provided to every witness.

You may be able to use more than one special measure, depending on your needs.