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Will I have to face the offender in trial?

As a general rule, the parties of the crime meet at the trial. At most courts, there are guards and when entering it is checked that the visitor does not carry any dangerous items.

Although physical safety has been ensured, sometimes meeting the offender can feel intimidating. In these situations, it can be negotiated whether the trial can be arranged in such a way that the victim and the defendant meeting can be avoided.

The victim can, for example, be heard so that that the prosecuted person is removed from the court room for the duration of the questioning. In this case, the prosecuted person shall be in another room, where he/she can hear the victim’s account, but cannot see the victim. In some district courts, there are also mobile curtains to protect the sight connection between the defendant and the victim. In modern court rooms, there are witness stands, where the victim can sit behind a mirror glass, and the defendant cannot see him/her. In some more exceptional cases, it is possible to hear the victim or witness via video connection, in which case he/she does not need to enter the court room at all.

These wishes should be informed to the district court in good time, either with the support of your own attorney or RIKU. The victim can, for example, ask for a RIKU support person to join him/her to trial.