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Types of hearings

In New Zealand, criminal cases can be heard by a judge-alone (judge-alone trial) or by a judge and jury (jury trial). This page provides a summary of the different types of hearings in criminal cases.The criminal procedure process is complicated and the following information might not apply to all c...
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Types of courts

There are lots of different courts in New Zealand. This page talks about courts that deal with criminal matters. The Courts of New Zealand website has information on other types of courts and tribunals. District Courts Most criminal matters are heard in the District Court. The District Court cannot...
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Victim impact statements

As a victim, you have the right to make a victim impact statement, which tells the court how the crime has affected you. Read more about how to make a victim impact statement and how it is used in court. What is a victim impact statement? A victim impact statement can help the judge understand how t...
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Getting information about the case

You can get information about your case by contacting the court victim advisor or officer in charge, or by contacting the court directly Always check case details the day before the hearing Sometimes, court hearing dates can be changed for different reasons. Make sure you check the case details the...
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Witnesses

If you're a victim of crime and the defendant pleads not guilty you may have to be a witness at the trial. You can also be a witness if you're not a victim of the offence but are involved in some way.Witnesses do not need their own lawyer - the prosecutor will present the case to the court. There ar...
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Your privacy

If you're a victim or a witness in a case, the court can do things to protect your privacy, like: ensuring that evidence given to the court does not disclose your contact details, unless the judge specifically allows this making an order for name suppression for victims of sexual violence and child...
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Child witnesses

Child witnesses (this includes children and young people) can get extra support and protection when they go to court. They can access the Court Education for Young Witnesses programme and give their evidence in different ways. There are also special legal rules to protect the privacy and identity of...
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Mentally impaired defendants

A different process applies if the defendant says that: they are unfit to stand trial because of a current mental impairment, or they committed the crime but were insane at the time of the offence. If a mentally impaired defendant is tried and convicted, they might be sent to hospital instead of...
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Different ways of giving evidence

Witnesses usually give their evidence in open court in the witness box. Sometimes - especially if the witness is a child or a victim of a sexual offence or is vulnerable - the judge might allow them to give their evidence in a different way.How you give your evidenceAs a witness, you're not allowe...
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Appeals

Both the prosecutor and the offender have the right to lodge an appeal. This means a higher court will look at the case again.The court victim advisor will contact you if there's going to be an appeal. You won't have to give evidence at the appeal, but you can go to the hearing if you want to.Who ca...