The court process. Te tukanga whakawa.

After the investigation, and once charges charges
Formally accusing somone of something that is against the law.
View the full glossary have been filed, a date will be set for the defendant defendant
The person accused of the crime.
View the full glossary ’s first appearance in court. They may appear in court a few times, but you usually won’t have to until you give evidence give evidence
Answering questions about what happened to you.
View the full glossary at the actual trial.

Find out more about what happens before the trial.

Click here for an accessible version of the court process diagram [DOCX, 17 KB].

In the lead up to the trial there’ll be some behind the scenes administration and pre-trial matters that the prosecutor prosecutor
The lawyer who presents the case against the person accused of a crime.
View the full glossary will progress – you usually won’t have to attend these or any trial callovers callovers
A meeting to get the case ready for trial.
View the full glossary . Your police officer in charge police officer in charge
Your main contact person with the police for your case.
View the full glossary , Sexual Violence Victim Advisor Sexual Violence Victim Advisor
Specialist worker who helps people through the court process.
View the full glossary or support person from a specialist support agency will keep you informed as things progress; it can be a slow process. 

Find out more about what happens before the trial.

Trials are usually heard by a jury jury
Twelve people from the community who decide if the person is guilty or not guilty.
View the full glossary , but the defendant defendant
The person accused of the crime.
View the full glossary can ask for a Judge-alone trial. The length of the trial may be a few days or it could be longer depending on the number of charges charges
Formally accusing somone of something that is against the law.
View the full glossary and the complexity of the case. The only time you must be at court during the trial is to give your evidence give your evidence
Answering questions about what happened to you.
View the full glossary .

Find out more information about the trial.

Finally, after all the evidence evidence
Various things presented in court to prove an alleged fact i.e videos, witness statements.
View the full glossary has been presented and the Judge has reviewed both sides, the jury jury
Twelve people from the community who decide if the person is guilty or not guilty.
View the full glossary will go to the jury room and discuss what's been said. Based on the evidence, they’ll decide whether the defendant defendant
The person accused of the crime.
View the full glossary is guilty or not guilty.

If the jury is unable to decide on a verdict verdict
Formal judgement whether someone is guilty or not guilty.
View the full glossary , the Judge may choose to discharge the jury and there may be a new trial with a new panel of jurors at a later date.

In the case of a Judge-alone trial, the Judge will take time to consider all the evidence presented before coming to a verdict.

Find out more information about the trial.

If a defendant defendant
The person accused of the crime.
View the full glossary is found guilty on any of the charges charges
Formally accusing somone of something that is against the law.
View the full glossary , a sentencing sentencing
This is when the Judge decides what happens to the offender if they've pleaded or been found guilty.
View the full glossary hearing will be scheduled for a later date. 

Find out more information about what happens after the trial.