Being involved with the criminal justice system can be stressful when you already coping with the physical and emotional effects of crime. It can also be confusing - most people are unfamiliar with the legal procedures involved and with the language that people who work in the system use.
We hope this section of the COPFS website will help give you a better idea of what to expect if you are:-
- a victim of crime, or
- a nearest relative of someone killed as the result of a crime
Victim Information and Advice (VIA)
Our VIA service offers help to certain victims, witnesses and bereaved nearest relatives affected by crime. More information about VIA is available by clicking on the tabs on the left of the page.
If you are a witness
Depending on the circumstances of the crime, you may also be a witness in any criminal case that follows.
Our "
Are you a witness?" section provides information about what is involved in being a witness at court and you may be eligible for help from the Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service too - check using the Who does VIA help? tab on the left of this page.