Standards of service
If you have witnessed a crime, the Witness Charter sets out what services the criminal justice agencies will aim to deliver to you. The agencies involved are currently improving procedures to ensure witnesses receive the services set out in the Witness Charter.
Unlike the Victims' Code, the Witness Charter is not set out in law, and there may sometimes be constraints which will affect the ability of the criminal justice agencies to provide the service to all witneses in all cases. The Witness Charter began to be rolled out on 1 April 2009. It represents a commitment that agencies will seek to support witnesses all the way from reporting a crime through to the end of their case.
Some of the key requirements of the Charter include:
- Receiving information about the crime you have witnessed within specified time scales, including being notified of key events in the case within set timescales.
- Receiving information about what to expect in court, including being offered a pre-trial visit to the court.
- Applying for special measures at court to help you give your best evidence if you are vulnerable or intimidated.
- Being informed of the result of the court case and any appeals that may be made.
The Charter tells you what you can expect from:
- All police forces for police areas in England and Wales
- The Crown Prosecution Service
- Joint police/Crown Prosecution Service Witness Care Units
- Her Majesty's Courts Service
- The Witness Service