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People in the Courtroom

Courts of Saskatchewan

Courts of Saskatchewan

People in the Courtroom

Court Resources

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.

 

Saskatchewan Coat Of Arms

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 the 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 a plea of guilty or not guilty in Court of King’s Bench

Lawyer

  • Presents the case for a client in civil or family matters
  • Presents the case for the Crown or defence in criminal matters

Jurors

  • Only in the case of a jury trial, which can only be held in Court of King’s Bench
  • Members of the public selected at random
    • 12 in a criminal case
    • 6 in a civil case
  • Hear the case alongside the judge and are the “triers of fact”, that is, they decide the verdict

Security

It may be Deputy Sheriffs, Sheriffs, or RCMP officers

  • Keep courtrooms safe
  • Protect judges, accused, jury, court staff, public, etc.
  • Escort accused people who are in custody
  • Conduct security screening at some court locations
  • Enforce rules, such as:
    • no hats
    • no phones
    • no food or drink
    • no talking while court is in session

Witness

  • Answers lawyers’ questions in court about what they saw or know (gives evidence)

Alternative Representatives

This may include: Youth Workers, Legal Aid, Alternative Measures Representatives

  • They may be in the courtroom
  • Available to help the accused and the court

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 on what takes place in the courtroom
  • Often the “eyes and ears” of the public

Members of the Public

  • Courtrooms are almost always open to the public
  • Individuals or groups can attend as they choose
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