# Before meeting the witness
- Witness / Statement on hand.
- Prepare a list of questions for the witness
- Compile the proposed exhibits and order of tendering
- Anticipate cross-examination questions
# Preparation
- Go through their own statement.
- Don't coach; they cannot be provided more information than what they came up with themselves.
- Advise that they should refresh their memory from contemporaneous documents.
- Direct witnesses mind to point about which questions may be asked.
- Give the witness an overview of court procedure.
- Direct witnesses attention to points in his or her evidence which appear to be contradictory or fantastic.
- Remind witnesses to bring the actual, physical exhibits to court.
- Civilian witnesses should normally be conferenced in the presence of the informant.
# Witness summons
- s. 43 Magistrates' Court Act 1989; witness summons.
# Child Witness Service
- Make sure you contact CWS 1300 790 540, Prosecutors responsibility to organise.
# Witness Costs
- "Have you incurred any costs from attending court today?"
- "How much were those costs?"
- "How did you determine those were the costs?"
# Section 18 Requests for Advice
[Requests for Section 18 and 128 Evidence Act 2008 Advice](https://victoriapolice.sharepoint.com/sites/ProsecutionsCourtBranch/SitePages/Requests-for-Section-18-and-128-Evidence-Act-Advice.aspx)