Making Sense of Words

A person who someone says someone has done something against the law.

A new injury that has just happened and may need quick medical help.

A decision was made that there was not enough evidence to convict the alleged harmer of the crime they have been accused of. This does not mean nothing happened, it just means they cannot say the alleged harmer was definitely responsible.

A trusted adult who helps children and young people to share their views and make sure their voice is heard.

A specially trained adult who is good at speaking in court and helps explain a child or young person’s story to the judge. This helps to protect children and young people’s rights.

An experienced prosecutor who appears in the High Court. They make decisions in serious cases.

The age a child can be held responsible for breaking the law. In Scotland, this is 12 years old.

A way of dealing with something that happened without going to court, like a warning or a Social Work support plan.

This is when someone says something has happened, but the court has not yet decided if it’s true or not.

A specially trained adult who helps someone understand what’s happening when they speak to the Police.

When Police stop someone and take them to the Police station because they think a crime has happened.

When an alleged harmer is allowed to leave the Police station after being charged. The alleged harmer will then wait to find out their date to go to court.

Rules the alleged harmer must follow whilst they wait for their court date.

A report about a person’s life. This might be written by people from Social Work, Police and Education, to help the court make decisions.

Specially trained adults who support children, young people, and families to keep them safe and well.

A meeting with a panel of trained volunteers who help make decisions to keep children and young people safe.

When someone tells Social Work that a child or young person may need help or protection.

A meeting where adults from different services talk about how to keep a young person safe.

When you get a letter asking you to go to court on a certain day.[

A specially trained person who organises what happens in court and helps the sheriff or judge.

When the court needs more information and the alleged harmer may have to stay in custody for a short time.[

When the court decides someone is guilty of a crime.

This means having at least two different pieces of evidence that point to the same thing. In Scotland, the court needs evidence from two separate sources to show that a crime happened and that the alleged harmer was the one who did it. It is a way of making sure decisions are fair and based on more than bit of information.

This is when a child or young person can go and have a look around the courtroom before the real trial happens. It helps children and young people see what the room looks like, meet some of the people who work there, and feel more comfortable so they know what to expect on the day.

Something against the law.

The organisation that decides if a case should go to court or not.

 Being kept in a Police building (a custody suite) for safety or questioning.

The specially trained adult who helps and represents the alleged harmer in court.

A court disposal is what the court decides should happen after listening to all the information. It is the action or plan the court puts in place. This could include giving support, setting rules to follow, or choosing another safe next step.

Evidence is the information that helps the court understand what happened. It can be what a child or young person says when they tell their story, or it can be things like photos, clothes, videos, reports, or other items that help show the truth.

When a child or young person gives their evidence before the trial. This should mean the child or young person may not need to go to court.

A court meeting before the trial to check everything is ready.

These are scientific clues that are collected to help understand what happened. These clues can come from a person or a place. They might include things like fingerprints, DNA, or blood samples that help show who was there or what happened.

A health check to make sure you're okay and collect any evidence if needed.

The time after something has happened when evidence can still be collected.

This is the short amount of time after something has happened when Doctors can still collect important information from someone’s body to help understand what happened and keep a child or young person safe.

A specially trained adult who collects and understands evidence.

When the court decides you must stay in custody until your trial.

When an alleged harmer says they did the harm they are accused of.

This is the highest criminal court in Scotland. The High Court hears cases from all over Scotland. It sits permanently at Edinburgh and Glasgow but can also sit in other places in Scotland.

When specially trained adults (like Police, Health, Social Work and Education) talk together to keep you safe.

A first meeting to plan how to keep a child or young person safe.

A document that explains the alleged harm in more detail.

A Judge is the person in charge at the High Court. They make sure everyone follows the rules and listens carefully to what people say. If the alleged harmer is guilty, the Judge is the one who decides what should happen next.

A group of adults who listen to the evidence and help decide if someone is guilty.

When a child or young person speaks to the court on a screen instead of going in person.

The court has decided that the alleged harmer did not do the harm they were accused of, or there wasn’t enough proof to say they did.

The first court document that explains the what the alleged harmer has been accused of.

Specially trained adults that help keep everyone safe and make sure everyone follows the law.

When the alleged harmer is kept in a Police building to answer questions and understand what has happened.

A safe area where the alleged harmer is kept while Police ask questions and make decisions.

The information Police write down about what happened.

A preliminary hearing is a short court meeting where specially trained adults check that everything is ready before the real court case starts.

Meaning

Rules that help the Procurator Fiscal decide what should happen in a case.

Thinking about what is best and safest for everyone in the community.

The Police and other agencies investigate when they think a crime has happened. They then tell the Procurator Fiscal what they found. The Procurator Fiscal is a specially trained lawyer who decides what should happen next. This might mean the alleged harmer will go to court for a trial. In a trial, the Procurator Fiscal is the person who speaks for The Crown and presents the case to the court.

When an alleged harmer must stay in custody while waiting for court.

A child-friendly way Police and Social Work talk to children and young about what might have happened to them.

The organisation that runs the Children’s Hearings System.

The organisation that runs court buildings and keeps things working smoothly.

A specially trained Police officer who collects evidence at a scene of an alleged crime.

The court’s decision about what happens after someone is found guilty.

When an alleged harmer touches a child or young person’s bottom, breasts, penis, scrotum or vulva in a way that hurts, confuses them or makes them feel uncomfortable.

A Sheriff is the specially trained adult in charge of the court. They listen carefully to what everyone says and help decide what is fair and what should happen next.

The Sheriff Court is a building where important decisions are made. It’s where a Sheriff listens to people, learns what happened, and helps decide what is fair. It’s a place where specially trained adults work to keep everyone safe.

Extra support to help children and young people feel safe when giving their evidence.

A specially trained adult who gives advice and speaks for the alleged harmer in court.

The maximum amount of time the law allows for part of a case to be completed.

Charities and community groups that support children, young people, and families.

Help like counselling, art therapy, or talking groups to support children, young people and their families recovery.

When a court listens to all the evidence and makes a decision.

A promise to go to court on a set date and follow rules given by the Police.

Specially trained adults who give court progress updates and support to children, young people and their families.

The court’s decision. The alleged harmer will be found guilty or not guilty.

A witness is someone who saw or knows something important.

A witness list is everyone the court might ask to speak.

Support and services that help young people who have been involved in harmful or risk-taking behaviour.