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Appendix 4: Analysis of Questionnaires Completed by Witnesses
1. How were you told of the need to come to court?
The responses were:
- Letter from the Fiscal
- Told by police
- Phoned
- Other - please state
54 witnesses received a letter from the Procurator Fiscal, 14 were informed by the police, 2 people were notified by phone, 5 received both a letter and were informed by the police, 2 received a letter and were notified by phone and 1 was informed by a parent.
2. How much notice did you get of the need to come to court?
The amount of notice given to witnesses ranged from 1 day to 4 months. 68 witnesses answered this question with 34 saying they were given 2 months notice and 8 were given 1 week or less. Of the 68 who answered this question 35 advised that they were given adequate notice while 5 said they were not. The remaining 28 witnesses did not answer this supplementary question.
3. Did you receive information….
- On being a witness?
- On the location of the court?
68 witnesses advised that they received information on being a witness and 52 advised that they received information on the location of court.
4. Did you ask to be excused attendance?
Only 1 witness asked to be excused and this person advised that the request was dealt with.
5. Did you receive information on what was happening while you were waiting at court?
70 witnesses indicated that they received information on what was happening while they were waiting at court, 6 said they did not receive information and 2 did not answer. 57 answered the supplementary question as to whether they received information at least every two hours with 50 saying they did and 7 saying they did not. 50 advised who provided the information with 46 indicating that they were informed by the Witness Service, 1 said by the police, 2 said by court staff and 1 said by 'some guy'.
6. Were you treated with courtesy?
69 witnesses indicated that they were treated with courtesy, 7 did not answer and 2 said they were not treated with courtesy with only one providing further information saying 'the guy working the TV was rude'. 61 witnesses said they received a prompt reply to any enquiry, 3 did not and 14 did not answer the question.
7. Did you ask for a pre-trial court visit?
17 witnesses requested a pre-trial court visit, 16 said this was arranged and the remaining witness did not advise whether it was arranged or not.
8. Do you have any special needs?
5 witnesses indicated that they had special needs and all said these were accommodated.
9. Any further comment?
- 5 witnesses indicated that staff, in particular the Witness Service, were very helpful, friendly and professional.
- 1 witness indicated that the witness room was not very pleasant.
- 1 witness indicated it was boring waiting to be called and couldn't watch what they wanted on TV.
- 1 witness said there had been a mix up and was told they were not required but had a 250 mile round trip.
- 1 witness said that the payment of £50 loss of earnings was not enough to cover his loss.
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