The Verdict

About verdicts

A verdict is the court's written decision in the case. Judges usually "hand down" verdicts. They try to give the verdict within a month of the trial. The judge will announce where and when the verdict will be given. It's then published on the District Court's website. Your name and the names of witnesses are not published.

The verdict will include:

• Who was charged: their name, ID number or birth date, and home address.
• What the charge was about.
• What the claim was.
• The main points of the case.
• The judge's reasons for what was proven in the case.
• The judge's reasons for the punishment, compensation claim, and legal costs.

Types of verdicts and sentences

The accused will be found guilty (get a punishment) or not guilty (innocent).

Not guilty

This means that the judge felt it wasn't possible to prove well enough that the abuse happened. This doesn't mean the judge doesn't believe you or other witnesses.

This can be a difficult outcome for those who experience abuse. Remember to take good care of yourself and how you're feeling. Support from family, friends, a psychologist, or Child protection services can help.

Guilty

When people are found guilty, the verdict goes on their criminal record for 5-10 years. They usually also have to pay compensation and court costs. The punishment is receiving this verdict. The goal of prison is then to prevent the person from committing abusive acts again.

This can be a relief for you and your family, but it's also normal to experience all sorts of feelings. It's important to keep thinking about your mental health and get support if you need it.

Unconditional sentence

When the person is sentenced to prison, it's called an unconditional sentence.

Conditional sentence

Sometimes people don't have to go to prison if they don't commit abusive acts for a certain amount of time. This is called a conditional sentence.

Appealing to the Court executive officer

If someone isn't happy with the court's decision, they can appeal the case within 4 weeks to the Court executive officer, which is the next level of court after the district court.

When is a case considered closed?

Your case is considered closed in the legal system when:

• An investigation has been stopped. See: The abuse reported to the police.)
• It has been dropped due to lack of evidence. See: Will the case go to court?
• A final verdict has been given.

How long do you have to wait for a verdict?

They try to give verdicts within a month of the main hearing.