As a witness in the trial, you have procedural rights which must be observed.
Information about procedure
Before you give your testimony, you must be informed about your rights, duties and responsibilities as a witness.
For example, as a witness, you have the right to know:
- Why you have been called to give a statement
- Who the official is who is interviewing you
- In what kind of proceedings your testimony is going to be used
Testimony
At trial and also during the pre-trial stage, you may give your testimony in a language that you speak and understand. Therefore, if needed, the official who takes your statement must assign an interpreter to help you understand the questions.
If your witness statement is taken during the pre-trial stage and is written down by the investigator or prosecutor, you have a right to read and review it. Where you don’t agree with all of it, or with certain parts or you disagree with particular wording, you may write your notes or additions to the statement.
Right not to testify
In certain situations, you also have the right not to testify. Read more about the right not to testify.