Your Advocate can help you
Remember that nice person you met at the CAC? The one who spoke with you a little after your forensic interview? That’s your Advocate.
They’re awesome and they’re going to be available to you throughout court!
Let your Advocate know three things before you go to court
“Who do I want to be with me?
You can ask someone to be with you. It probably won’t be a best friend, but maybe a family member!
“What am I going to wear?
Be comfy, dress in layers, and look great! More on what to wear to court here.
“What am I going to bring?
You can bring snacks, water, and even your phone to play games on while you wait.
Nervous? That’s okay! Your Advocate has some ideas to help
Being nervous about court is very normal. It happens to everyone, even all the grown-ups in the room, including the jury. Even the judge is probably a little nervous! The best Advocates recommend doing these things to help…
Play some games on your phone
Take some deep breaths
Listen to music or YouTube
Chat with friends
Okay, but what about…
Don’t talk to your friends about what’s happening in court. You can actually harm others by talking about what’s happening in court. Talk to your friends about what else is happening at school, online, or anything else!
That’s normal! Even the grown-ups in the room are a little nervous in court. Just do your best. Everyone else is, too.
You can bring all sorts of stuff like stress balls, blankets, toys, and even your phone into the courthouse. When the actual court session starts, just make sure anything that makes noise is put away. Pretend it’s just like a class during a test.
Talk to your Advocate or attorney. They can help let the judge know if you need a moment to step outside, get a drink, or use the restroom. You’ve got this!