Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys
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Going to Court

In order to prepare you to go to court, Witness Care Officers
provide a single point of contact and tailored support for each witness
to ensure that they are able to give their best evidence. This
tailored support is based on a needs assessment which includes
consideration of what specialist support you may need.

The Witness Service

Magistrates’ and Crown Court have a Witness Service, which is a
service provided by Victim Support. Some courts also have a specialist
Child Witness Service.

Members of the Witness Service may be able to arrange pre-court
familiarisation visits if needed and are able to explain what might
happen at court. They are not, however, allowed to discuss the details
of the case.

If you are concerned and worried about going to court and giving
evidence, a member of the Witness Service may be permitted to accompany
you into court, to give support. If the witness has had support from
another agency (e.g. SARC), a member of that support service may also
be permitted to accompany the witness into court.

Helping victims to give evidence

Giving evidence in court can be a particularly traumatic
experience for victims of rape. In particular, some victims may find it
difficult to give evidence in the sight of the defendant. If this is
so, we can apply to the court for you to give evidence in another way
so that you can give your best evidence.

These alternative ways of giving evidence are known as ‘special measures’ and examples include:

  • playing to the court your recorded interview.  This means
    that you will not have to give ‘live’ evidence about what happened to
    you, but you will still have to answer questions put to them by the
    defendant’s lawyer in cross-examination;
  • giving evidence from behind a screen in a courtroom to prevent you and the defendant seeing each other; and
  • giving evidence away from the courtroom through a live
    television link to prevent you having to go into court. You will not see
    the defendant over the TV link but the defendant will usually still
    see you on a TV screen.

Evidence may also be given in private by clearing the public gallery in sexual offence cases or cases involving intimidation.

The CPS prosecutor is responsible for applying to the court for
any special measures on behalf of victims and witnesses following
discussion with the police.

It is for the court to decide whether to grant or refuse applications for special measures in rape cases.

Anonymity

Many victims and witnesses are concerned about their safety and
fear that personal details or information about them might become
public knowledge and place them at risk of further attack or
harassment.

Victims of rape and serious sexual offences are entitled as a
matter of law to anonymity in the media, even if their name has been
given in court.

Will the case get to court?

We work in partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service, who
ultimately decide whether a case will be taken to court or not. They
look at different factors including whether there is enough evidence to
provide a realistic chance of a conviction.

Unfortunately, some cases do not go to court. it is important to
remember that this does not mean that nobody believes you. Your
Specially Trained Officer can arrange a meeting with the reviewing
Crown Prosecution Solicitor who will explain the reasons.

The Victims Code of Practice

Victims of crime are entitled to minimum standards of service
from the Criminal Justice System and the Code of Practice for Victims
of Crime.

Useful links and phone numbers