People in the Courtroom
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Courtrooms are set up differently depending on their purpose. Similarly, the people you’ll see in a courtroom will also be different, depending on what’s taking place in it.
Judge(s)
- Sits at the front of the courtroom, often on a raised platform (dais)
- Presides over the courtroom to ensure fair and efficient hearings
- Responsible for:
- making sure rules are followed,
- deciding whether to admit or not admit evidence
- deciding guilt in a criminal trial (unless it’s a jury trial)
- giving judgment in a civil or family trial
- sentencing and awarding damages
- determining whether there was a mistake in a lower court
Clerk
- Sits in front of the judge
- Opens and closes court (tells gallery to stand when judge enters and leaves)
- Marks exhibits
- Makes sure everything said in the trial courts is recorded
- Takes witnesses’ and jury members’ oaths
- Reads the charges and asks for plea of guilty or not guilty in Court of Queen’s Bench
Lawyer
- Presents case for client in civil or family matters
- Presents case for the Crown or defence in criminal matters
Security (may be RCMP officers, Sheriffs or Deputy Sheriffs)
- Keep courtrooms safe
- Protect judges, accused, jury, court staff, public, etc.
- Enforce rules, such as:
- no hats
- no phones
- no food or drink
- no talking while court is in session
- Escort accused people who are in custody
- Conduct security screening at some court locations
Jurors
- Only in the case of a jury trial, which can only be held in Court of Queen’s Bench
- Members of the public selected at random
- 12 in criminal case
- 6 in civil case
- Listen to the evidence
- Render a verdict as a group
Youth workers/Legal Aid/Alternative Measures Representatives
- May be in the courtroom
- Available to help the accused and the court
Witness
- Answers lawyers’ questions in court about what they saw or know (gives evidence)
Interpreter
- Used when the accused or a witness does not understand English
- Translates what is being said
Social Worker
- Supports children or victims of crime while they are in court
News Media
- Attends court and reports to general public on events in court
Members of the Public
- Courtrooms are almost always open to the public
- Individuals or groups can attend when convenient