Witness Care in Dorset
Victims and witnesses play a vital role in the Criminal Justice System, and without their support and attendance at Court, many trials would collapse.
Dorset's Witness Care Unit (WCU) was established on 21st October 2004. The Police and Crown Prosecution Service Witness Care Officers (WCOs) in the unit provide information and support to victims and witnesses from the point of charge through to the completion of the case. The WCU provides a single point of contact for victims and witnesses, and provides a service that is tailored to their individual needs. In 2005 the WCU received an award for Outstanding Achievement at the Dorset Justice Awards.
The Witness Care Unit receiving their Outstanding Achievement Award at the
2005 Dorset Justice Awards from Dorset Police Chief Constable Martin Baker
If you are required to give evidence at court, you will be contacted by a WCO who will assist you through the process.
For many witnesses, going to court can be a scary and confusing experience, in addition to the service provided by WCOs, the Witness Service operate in every Magistrates' Court and Crown Court in Dorset. Witness Service volunteers provide practical and emotional support to victims, witnesses (prosecution and defence), and their friends and families. This support is available before, during and after the court case. The Witness Service, part of Victim Support, is free and independent from the police and courts. The Witness Service can provide:
- Someone to talk to in confidence
- A visit to the court and, where possible, the courtroom before you are called as a witness
- Information on court procedures
- Someone to accompany you into the courtroom when giving evidence
- Practical help, for example, with the completing of expense forms
- Contact details to put you in touch with people who can answer specific questions about the case (the Witness Service cannot discuss evidence or offer legal advice)
- The opportunity to talk over the case when it has ended and to receive further help or information
If you would like to speak to a Witness Service volunteer, or organise a court visit before the trial takes place, please contact your WCO. Victim Support Dorset will also be able to give you the relevant Witness Service telephone number for the court that your trial is taking place at. Their telephone number is 01258 453100.
There are a number of special measures available to help vulnerable and intimidated witnesses at court. You may be offered help as an intimidated witness if the quality of your evidence is likely to suffer because you are scared or distressed. You may also be entitled to extra support as a vulnerable witness if you are under 14, or if it might be difficult for you to give evidence because you have a mental disorder, a learning difficulty or a physical disability. The special measures include:
- Screens around the witness box: A screen is placed around the witness box to prevent the witness from seeing the defendant. (Available in all courts in Dorset)
- Evidence via live link: The witness can sit in a room outside the courtroom and give their evidence via a live television link to the courtroom. The witness will be able to see everything that goes on in the courtroom and those in the courtroom can see the witness via the link. (Available in Bournemouth and Dorchester Crown Courts, and Bournemouth, Poole, Blandford and Weymouth Magistrates' Courts)
- Evidence via live link from a remote site: The witness can sit in a room in a building that is in a different locality from the court building and give their evidence via a live television link to the courtroom. (Available in Bournemouth and Dorchester Crown Courts, and Bournemouth, Poole, Blandford and Weymouth Magistrates' Courts)
- Video recorded evidence in chief: The witness' main oral evidence is videotaped and played to the court. (Available in all of Dorset's Courts)
- Evidence given in private: This is when the public gallery is cleared. (Available in all of Dorset's Courts)
- Removal of wigs and gowns: The Judge and lawyers in the Crown Court do not wear their wigs and gowns. (Available in Bournemouth and Dorchester Crown Courts)
- Use of communication aids: For example an alphabet board. (Available in all of Dorset's Courts)
- Use of an intermediary: Intermediaries can help people under 17 as well as people who have a mental disorder or a physical or learning disability to give evidence in court. Intermediaries can help vulnerable witnesses to understand questions that they are asked in court and can then help to communicate the witness’s responses. (Available in all of Dorset's Courts)
If it becomes necessary, your WCO can give you more information on how special measures are applied on your behalf.
As well as providing a comfortable environment for witnesses to wait in at the courts, all of the witness rooms are extremely safe and also ensure that vulnerable and intimidated witnesses are kept safely away from any other parties attending the court.