If you have witnessed or even been the victim of a crime committed by an individual under the age of 18 you have to know your role in the Youth Court.

You may receive a summons to testify which is a court order. It obliges you to appear on the date and at the time and place indicated to testify in a criminal trial.

You must comply with the summons to testify because if you refuse to appear in court, a warrant may be issued for your arrest and you may be brought before a judge. Your employer must allow you to take time off from work to fulfill you duty. Under law, your employer cannot penalize you for this reason.

You cannot refuse to testify or answer questions. If you do refuse, you may be held in contempt of court and fined, sentenced to prison or both. Nevertheless, your testimony cannot be used to incriminate you in other cases unless you commit perjury or give contradictory testimony

If you are under the age of 18, the judge is required when requested, to prohibit the media from disclosing their identity or any other information that could serve to identify them. If you are older than 18, the judge will decide on a case-by-case basis if there are grounds for prohibiting the publication of their identity.