Giving Evidence in Court Course for Guards 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   What is a subpoena?

   • AA police report about an incident
   • BA polite request that a witness may ignore if busy
   • CA document that charges a person with an offence
   • DA court order that requires a person to attend court as a witness
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A court order that requires a person to attend court as a witness

   A subpoena is a legal order to attend court. It is not optional.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Under section 708 of the Criminal Code, what can happen to a witness who is legally required to attend court and fails to do so without lawful excuse?

   • AThey can be found in contempt and fined up to $100, jailed up to 90 days, or both
   • BThey automatically lose their security licence
   • CThey must pay the full cost of the trial
   • DNothing, because witnesses attend by choice
   Show answer

   Answer: A. They can be found in contempt and fined up to $100, jailed up to 90 days, or both

   Failing to attend without lawful excuse is contempt of court. Section 708 sets a fine of up to $100, up to 90 days in jail, or both.

3. Question 3 of 25

   In a criminal case, who usually presents the case against the accused person?

   • AThe security guard's employer
   • BThe Crown prosecutor (Crown counsel)
   • CThe judge
   • DThe court clerk
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The Crown prosecutor (Crown counsel)

   Criminal cases are prosecuted by the Crown. The judge stays neutral and decides the case or guides the jury.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What should a guard review before going to court?

   • ASocial media posts about the accused
   • BTheir own notes and reports about the incident
   • CNews stories about the case
   • DOther witnesses' statements, so all accounts match
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Their own notes and reports about the incident

   Your evidence must be your own memory. Reviewing your notes and reports helps you remember accurately.

5. Question 5 of 25

   The judge orders that witnesses be excluded. What does this mean for a guard waiting to testify?

   • ALeave the courthouse and go home
   • BWait outside the courtroom until called, so you cannot hear other witnesses
   • CSit at the front so the judge can see you
   • DTestify by phone instead of in person
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Wait outside the courtroom until called, so you cannot hear other witnesses

   Excluded witnesses wait outside until called so they cannot hear and adjust to other testimony.

6. Question 6 of 25

   While waiting to testify, another witness asks what you are going to say. What should you do?

   • ACompare notes so your stories match
   • BAsk them what the defence lawyer asked them
   • CPolitely decline to discuss your evidence
   • DTell them what you saw so they can remember better
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Politely decline to discuss your evidence

   Discussing evidence can change what people remember and can make a court doubt both witnesses.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What is a solemn affirmation?

   • AA written summary of your evidence
   • BA non-religious promise to tell the truth that has the same legal effect as an oath
   • CA weaker promise that allows small mistakes
   • DA promise used only by police officers
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A non-religious promise to tell the truth that has the same legal effect as an oath

   Witnesses may swear an oath or make a solemn affirmation. Both have the same legal effect.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Under section 131 of the Criminal Code, what is perjury?

   • ARefusing to look at the accused
   • BKnowingly making a false statement under oath or affirmation, intending to mislead
   • CMaking an honest mistake and correcting it
   • DForgetting a detail while testifying
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Knowingly making a false statement under oath or affirmation, intending to mislead

   Perjury requires a statement the person knows is false, made under oath or affirmation, with intent to mislead.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What is the maximum prison term for perjury under section 132 of the Criminal Code?

   • A90 days
   • B14 years
   • C6 months
   • D2 years
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 14 years

   Perjury is an indictable offence with a maximum of 14 years in prison.

10. Question 10 of 25

    When the Crown calls a guard as a witness, what is the first stage of questioning?

    • AExamination in chief (direct examination)
    • BCross-examination
    • CSentencing
    • DRe-examination
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Examination in chief (direct examination)

    The side that calls the witness questions them first. This is examination in chief.

11. Question 11 of 25

    During examination in chief, are leading questions (questions that suggest the answer) usually allowed?

    • AGenerally no, except for simple matters such as names, dates and undisputed facts
    • BYes, they are always allowed
    • COnly if the witness asks for them
    • DOnly if the jury agrees
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Generally no, except for simple matters such as names, dates and undisputed facts

    In examination in chief, the lawyer uses open questions so the witness tells the story in their own words.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What is the purpose of cross-examination?

    • AThe other side tests the witness's evidence, for example by pointing out contradictions or memory gaps
    • BThe judge thanks the witness for attending
    • CThe witness asks the accused questions
    • DThe witness reads their full report aloud
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The other side tests the witness's evidence, for example by pointing out contradictions or memory gaps

    Cross-examination tests the reliability of evidence. Leading questions are usually allowed.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What is re-examination?

    • AQuestions from the jury to the accused
    • BA test the witness must pass to testify
    • CA second trial for the same offence
    • DFurther questions from the side that called the witness, about issues raised in cross-examination
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Further questions from the side that called the witness, about issues raised in cross-examination

    After cross-examination, the side that called the witness may ask about new issues raised in cross.

14. Question 14 of 25

    How should a witness address a judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia?

    • ASir or Madam
    • BYour Honour
    • CMr. or Ms. Judge
    • DOfficer
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Your Honour

    The Provincial Court of BC says to call its judges "Your Honour". Forms of address differ by court and province, so ask if you are unsure.

15. Question 15 of 25

    How should a witness refer to a judge in the Supreme Court of British Columbia?

    • AYour Worship
    • BBy their first name
    • CChief
    • DJustice followed by the judge's last name
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Justice followed by the judge's last name

    The Supreme Court of BC asks people to refer to the judge as "Justice Last-name".

16. Question 16 of 25

    Can a witness look at their notes while testifying?

    • AYes, with the judge's permission, to refresh their memory
    • BNo, notes are never allowed in court
    • CYes, and they may read out any notes they like without asking
    • DOnly if the accused agrees
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Yes, with the judge's permission, to refresh their memory

    With the judge's permission, a witness may use notes to refresh their memory.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Which notes are most useful for refreshing memory in court?

    • ANotes made close to the event, while the memory was fresh
    • BNotes written by another guard who was not there
    • CNotes rewritten the week before trial
    • DNotes copied from the incident's news coverage
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Notes made close to the event, while the memory was fresh

    Notes made at or near the time of the event are the most reliable and are the kind courts allow witnesses to use.

18. Question 18 of 25

    A lawyer asks a guard about a detail the guard does not remember. What is the best answer?

    • ASay honestly that you do not remember
    • BRefuse to answer any more questions
    • CGuess, so you do not look unprepared
    • DMake up a likely answer
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Say honestly that you do not remember

    "I don't remember" is a truthful answer. Guessing can make your whole testimony look unreliable.

19. Question 19 of 25

    A guard does not understand a question from a lawyer. What should the guard do?

    • AStay silent until the lawyer moves on
    • BAsk the accused to explain it
    • CAsk for the question to be repeated or rephrased
    • DAnswer the question they think was meant
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Ask for the question to be repeated or rephrased

    You may ask for a question to be repeated or put another way. Answer only when you understand it.

20. Question 20 of 25

    During cross-examination the defence lawyer sounds angry and suggests the guard is lying. What is the best response?

    • ARefuse to continue until the lawyer apologizes
    • BArgue with the lawyer to defend yourself
    • CRaise your voice so the judge sees you are upset
    • DStay calm and polite and answer the question truthfully
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Stay calm and polite and answer the question truthfully

    Staying calm and factual shows the court you are reliable. Arguing makes a witness look biased.

21. Question 21 of 25

    A guard realizes that an earlier answer they gave was wrong. What should they do?

    • ASay nothing and hope nobody notices
    • BChange later answers to match the mistake
    • CTell the court and correct it as soon as they notice
    • DWait until after court to tell the Crown
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Tell the court and correct it as soon as they notice

    Correcting an honest mistake right away protects your credibility. Hiding it does the opposite.

22. Question 22 of 25

    When answering questions in court, where should a witness generally speak?

    • AToward the accused
    • BToward the public gallery
    • CToward the judge (or the jury), clearly and loudly enough for all to hear
    • DOnly toward the lawyer who asked, in a quiet voice
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Toward the judge (or the jury), clearly and loudly enough for all to hear

    The judge or jury decides the case, so they must hear every answer clearly.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What should a guard's answers in court contain?

    • AThe guard's opinion of the sentence
    • BOnly facts the guard saw, heard or did
    • CThe guard's guesses about why the accused did it
    • DWhat other people told the guard about the accused's past
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Only facts the guard saw, heard or did

    Witnesses give facts from their own senses. Opinions and guesses are generally not their role.

24. Question 24 of 25

    According to section 13 of the Charter, what protection does a witness have?

    • AThey cannot be cross-examined
    • BTheir testimony cannot be used to incriminate them in other proceedings, except for perjury or contradictory evidence
    • CThey can refuse to answer any question they dislike
    • DThey cannot be asked about their notes
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Their testimony cannot be used to incriminate them in other proceedings, except for perjury or contradictory evidence

    Section 13 protects witnesses from having their testimony used against them later, except in a prosecution for perjury or giving contradictory evidence.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Which is good practice on the day a guard goes to court?

    • ABring the evidence items from the site yourself
    • BArrive exactly at the start time to avoid waiting
    • CArrive early, dress neatly and bring the subpoena and notes
    • DWear sunglasses so you look confident
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Arrive early, dress neatly and bring the subpoena and notes

    Arriving early gives you time to check in and find the courtroom. Neat dress and your paperwork show you take the court seriously.

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