Criminal proceedings; witness support

Witness support offices are available as contact persons for witnesses in criminal proceedings at all Bavarian district and regional courts.

Witness support centers have been set up at all Bavarian district courts and regional courts to reduce the burden of court proceedings on witnesses. The witness support centers are primarily available to you if you are a witness in criminal proceedings; at some courts, however, the witness support centers also advise witnesses in civil proceedings.

The witness counselors are available to answer general questions about the course of proceedings and the examination of witnesses in a comprehensible manner. In many cases, there are also special waiting rooms for witnesses. It is generally not possible for the witness counselors to supervise underage children during the hearing. If you have not already received the relevant information with the summons, you can find the address and telephone number of the witness support office responsible for you on the website of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice (see "Further links") or ask the courts directly.