When a crime happens, it can feel confusing or scary. If you have been affected by a crime, or if you’ve seen something important, you might hear people talking about ‘the criminal justice system’.
That can sound big and confusing. But in reality, all this stands for is a group of adults whose whole job is to:
- keep you safe
- make things easier for you
- make sure that when bad things happen, there are consequences wherever possible
Who works for the criminal justice system?
Because of the size of the criminal justice system, there are a lot of different people with different jobs. The sort of people you might meet include police officers and staff, support workers, prosecutors, and judges and members of juries.
What to expect
Talking about a crime can be upsetting. Many young people feel this way – it does not mean you are doing anything wrong. No one expects you to be able to explain things perfectly.
You just need to tell the truth about what you saw, heard, or experienced in your own words.
Will I have to go to court?
Not necessarily.
Many cases never reach a courtroom. Sometimes, your recorded interview or written statement is all that is needed.
If you do need to go to court, you will get support to help you prepare. This could include visits to see what the courtroom is like. There are also legal protections to help keep you safe.
As a young person who has been a victim of or witnessed a crime, the adults involved in the criminal justice system will try their best to make sure you have the best experience possible. The guide below will tell you what you will and will not experience while navigating the system, so you can understand what is likely to happen before you get there.
You should expect to be:
- contacted by police, if you decide to report what you saw and experienced so you know you are being taken seriously
- able to tell the police what happened, in your own words and with as many breaks as you need
- kept up to date, and told if the case is going to court or not
- given an appropriate level of support depending on your needs
- updated by us as your Victim and Witness Care service, during court hearings and if the case goes to trial
- provided with support regardless of what the outcome of the case is
You will not:
- be blamed for what happened, or be responsible for the outcome of the case
- be forgotten at any stage of the process, even long after the case ends
- have to go through anything by yourself
Your rights
As a young person involved in a crime case, you have the right to:
- be listened to
- be treated with respect
- get help to understand what’s happening
- have someone supportive with you
- feel safe
- ask questions
If you need help at any point during your experience with the criminal justice system, you can find support in your area.
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