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Who is in the Courtroom?
- Is the judge's assistant.
- Says "all rise" when the judge enters the courtroom.
- Will ask the witness to take an oath or to declare that he or she promises to tell the truth.
- Calls witnesses by name to take the stand and asks them to give their full name for the court reporter to record it properly.
- Sits in front of the courtroom near the judge.
- Records everything that people say while the trial is going on.
- Acts as the defender of society, not as the witness's lawyer.
- The accused is seen as someone who may have committed a crime against the values of society. Thus the Crown Prosecutor defends society's values. (You will also hear the Crown Prosecutor called the Crown or the Prosecutor. These terms mean the same thing.)
- Does NOT represent the victim.
- Decides whether the case will proceed.
- Will not drop a case at the victim's request.
- Will get at the truth. If there is not enough evidence, the Prosecutor will likely recommend that the trial not proceed.
- Is very busy and will probably not contact you unless you are a key witness and he or she needs to talk to you.
- Refers to the other lawyer as "my friend" as a sign of respect.
- Must be informed of any new evidence or information that you may have.
- Works for the person accused of breaking the law.
- May try to find out if a witness is confused or making things up.
- Asks the witness questions when the Crown Prosecutor has finished (referred to as cross-examination).
- May ask you the same questions in different ways.
- Tests the credibility of the witnesses' evidence.
- Listens to everyone's story and fits the pieces together like a puzzle until he or she understands the whole picture.
- Decides whether the accused is innocent or guilty, when there is no jury.
- Is called "Your Honour", "Your Lordship," "My Lord," or "My Lady".
- Asks you to "stand down" (leave the witness box) when you have finished testifying and being cross-examined.
- Decides on the appropriate sentence when the accused is found guilty.
Here is the layout of a courtroom. If you place the cursor over each person on the diagram and click the mouse, you can read a description of that person's job in the trial.
CLERK OF THE COURT
COURT REPORTER
CROWN PROSECUTOR
DEFENCE LAWYER
JUDGE
