Working with Defendants

We will provide the background knowledge and practical skills required to work in this field. We will also discuss what we do in practice in the crown, magistrates and youth courts, how we work with vulnerable people and measures to ensure their effective participation. Our aim is that participants will have enough information to be able to start to work competently and confidently with defendants and suspects in the criminal justice system.

Course dates and times:

24th March 2021, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
26th March 2021, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
27th March 2020, 11:00am - 2:00pm

Course aims / objectives:

Participants will:

1. Develop the background knowledge and practical skills required to work in this field.
2. Understand the role in the crown, magistrates and youth courts.
3. Learn how to work with vulnerable people to ensure their effective participation.
4. Have enough information to be able to work competently and confidently with defendants and suspects in the criminal justice system.

Course Content:

• Introduction and Ground rules
• History and case law for defendants
• Trial process
• Client group
• Suspect stage and cautionSkills needed by a defendant
• Complex issues – including Evidence only and  boundaries
• Assessment and reporting
• Recommendations for effective participation
• Practicalities of working with defendants
• Additional skills

Course method:

The course is run in the form of a small group training. The presenters will present information and will invite high levels of participation and sharing of knowledge and ideas.  Prepared slides / handouts guide the process rather than impart information.

The following materials are provided:

• Timetable
• Glossary of terms
• Power point presentations
• Guidance for further reading-Bibliography