Lindsey Kinnunen's Instructions

How to present criminal evidence in court
When you become a social worker, on occasion, you will have present evidence in front of a judge and jury. You must be able to do this because you need to try to make it clearer for the judge to convict a person or to let them free.

Things you’ll need
Pen or pencil
Documents to support your case (This may include transcripts of conversation, reports of incidents, or radio / telephone records.)

Instructions
Step 1
The judge will ask you if you want to give evidence on behalf of your claim and of course, you will say yes. So, take all your evidence-–your documents that you have organized in a binder or folder-–and go to the witness stand.
Step 2
Be aware that you will be asked if you want to swear an oath saying that you will tell the truth. This oath is to God so if you feel uncomfortable, you can say an oath to the court that isn’t religious at all.

Step 3
Sit in the witness box next to the judge, open your evidence and begin talking. Speak into the microphone and be as clear as possible because you are being recorded.

Step 4
Bring a sheet that has step by step points for you to refer to, just so you don’t forget one. Tell your story in sequential order. Do not jump ahead or speak randomly. Address the judge as “Your Honor” to show respect.

Step 5
Tell the judge that you would like to submit your copy of a document or picture or whatever you have, as evidence. It will be marked as an exhibit and will become evidence that the judge considers when they make their decision.

Step 6
Once you have given your evidence, the court will let you leave the witness box and you may be told that you are released. This means that you can leave. Although you will normally be free to go, you might be asked to stay after you have given evidence if something new comes up. You can stay and listen to the rest of the case if you want to.