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Where am I now? Lawlink > Homepage > Justice Journey > Who's who in the courtroom
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Accused
The accused person is the person who was arrested and charged for the crime.
The accused person can represent themselves, but can also have a solicitor or barrister represent them.
The accused will usually sit in a section called the dock, or behind the bar table. |
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
This is a provision available to child witnesses and adult complainants in sexual assault matters so they can give evidence to the court from a remote location. In special situations CCTV is used for adult witnesses at the discretion of the court.
See a picture of the CCTV room. |
Court Reporter
Some court staff tape record the hearing and some write down or type what is being said. |
Court Staff
Court staff help the judicial officer and people coming into the courtroom. |
| More information... |
Defence Lawyer
The defence lawyer is the solicitor or barrister representing the accused person.
There are sometimes several defence lawyers representing the accused person. In the District and Supreme Courts the defence barrister may wear a wig and gown.
More information... |
Interpreter
Sometimes, an interpreter will help a witness or the accused person understand what is being said by translating the question and answer into another language or other form of communication such as Auslan.
Interpreters are arranged by the court. |
Judge's Associate
A person who helps the judge in court with documents used in the case, such as exhibits. |
Judicial Officer
In the Local Court and the Children’s Court, the judicial officer is called a magistrate.
In the District Court and Supreme Court, the judicial officer is called a judge.
You call a judicial officer 'Your Honour' when you are in court.
More information... |
Jury
In the District Court and Supreme Court, sometimes there is a jury.
The jury is 12 people from the community who listen to the evidence. |
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Media
Sometimes, journalists from the media (newspapers and TV) are allowed to sit and listen in court.
The media are allowed to write down what is said in court and sometimes will write this in the newspaper or report it on the news. |
Prosecutor
In the Local Court, the prosecutor is a specially trained police officer. The prosecutor does not wear a police uniform.
In the District and Supreme Court, the prosecutor is a solicitor or barrister from the ODPP.
More information... |
Public Gallery
People from the community are sometimes allowed to watch and listen in court.
They sit at the back of the court in a section called the public gallery.
People in the public gallery are not allowed to talk or interrupt the court. |
Support Person
Sometimes a witness will have a support person who can sit near them in the courtroom.
The support person doesn’t answer the questions being asked by the prosecutor or defence. |
Witness
The witness is a person who knows something about the case.
The prosecutor and the defence ask the witness questions.
The witness gives evidence about what they know. |
| More information... |
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Courtroom who's who
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Find out about the people and features you might see when you go to court.
 When you see the blue Information icon you can click to find out more about that part of the courtroom. |
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Are all courts the same?
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There are many courts in New South Wales. The courtroom you go to might be a bit different from the one in this picture, but the people and features will be similar. |
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