The Trial
If there is enough evidence found during the committal hearing, the accused will be committed to stand trial before a jury. This will happen in the Supreme Court closest to the area of the offence.
A state-appointed Prosecutor will try the case in front of the Judge, and a jury of 12. The jury must reach a unanimous verdict, and because of this, jury deliberations can go for hours and in some cases, days. Families may request a meeting with the Prosecutor prior to trial and where they can discuss their fears, questions, and hand over a copy of family members’ Victim Impact Statements.
Family members are welcome to be party to this by sitting in the gallery at the back of the court. Again, please consider having a QHVSG (or family) court supporter with you during this time to help make the process a little easier.
On conclusion of the trial, the judge will sum up the case, the jury will go out to deliberate on the verdict, which will be either “guilty”, “not guilty”, or a combination of both if there is more than one charge. If the accused has been found guilty, the case will be listed for sentencing.