Roles in court

Court staff member who records the hearing and writes down or types what is being said.

Used to convey images of court proceedings to another location when a person is giving evidence from a remote witness facility, or is appearing in court from another location via video conferencing.

Helps the judicial officer and people coming into the courtroom. He (or she) organises court lists, calls witnesses and administers oaths.

Provides transport and security for people in custody.

Person who must defend his or her actions in court. Defendants may be defending themselves against a criminal or civil charge or have had a court claim for money brought against them. In a criminal trial, a defendants is called the accused.

Represents the defendant or accused person. Sometimes several defence lawyers represent the accused person. In the district or supreme courts the defence barrister may wear a wig and gown.

Assists the court by translating speech from one language into another or by translating sign language into speech.

In the district court and supreme court, the judicial officer is called a judge. In the local court the judicial officer is a magistrate. You call a judicial officer 'Your Honour' when you are in court.

Helps the judge in court with documents and exhibits used in the case.

Citizens who sit on a jury panel and consider the evidence in court and decide on matters of fact. Jury panel members are selected at random from the public. They deliver a verdict on the case. In criminal cases there is a jury of 12 while in some civil cases there is a jury of four people. In the local court, cases are heard without a jury.

Representatives from the press, television and online services can attend most court proceedings, except those in the children's court.

Represents the police or state in criminal matters. In the local court, the prosecutor is a specially trained police officer while in the district or supreme court, the prosecutor is a lawyer from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Public are allowed into the public galleries of courtrooms in New South Wales to watch most cases. However, some cases, including all children's court cases, are closed to the public.

Come to court to offer support to particular witnesses. They are chosen by particular witnesses, but do not play a role in court proceedings.

Someone  who gives evidence in a case. Witnesses answer questions asked by the prosecutor and the defence. Before giving evidence, each witness is asked to take an oath or affirmation, which is a promise to tell the truth.