Can a security guard use their notebook in court?

Yes, with the judge's permission, to refresh their memory. Notes made close to the event are the most useful, and lawyers may ask to see them.

Do I have to swear on a religious book?

No. You can make a solemn affirmation instead, which is a non-religious promise to tell the truth with the same legal effect as an oath.

What happens if I ignore a subpoena?

Failing to attend without lawful excuse is contempt of court. In a criminal case, section 708 of the Criminal Code allows a fine of up to $100, up to 90 days in jail, or both.

What should I say if I cannot remember something?

Say honestly that you do not remember, or ask the judge if you may refer to your notes. Never guess.

L’attestation est-elle accréditée ou reconnue officiellement ?

Non. C’est une attestation de réussite privée, uniquement pour vos connaissances. Elle n’est reconnue, accréditée ni approuvée par aucun gouvernement, organisme de délivrance des permis, autorité de réglementation ou établissement d’enseignement, et elle ne remplace aucun permis, aucune certification ni aucune formation exigés par la loi.

Giving Evidence in Court Course for Guards 2026

Question 1 sur 25

What is a subpoena?

A police report about an incident
A polite request that a witness may ignore if busy
A document that charges a person with an offence
A court order that requires a person to attend court as a witness

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 2 sur 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?

They can be found in contempt and fined up to $100, jailed up to 90 days, or both
They automatically lose their security licence
They must pay the full cost of the trial
Nothing, because witnesses attend by choice

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 3 sur 25

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

The security guard's employer
The Crown prosecutor (Crown counsel)
The judge
The court clerk

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 4 sur 25

What should a guard review before going to court?

Social media posts about the accused
Their own notes and reports about the incident
News stories about the case
Other witnesses' statements, so all accounts match

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 5 sur 25

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

Leave the courthouse and go home
Wait outside the courtroom until called, so you cannot hear other witnesses
Sit at the front so the judge can see you
Testify by phone instead of in person

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 6 sur 25

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

Compare notes so your stories match
Ask them what the defence lawyer asked them
Politely decline to discuss your evidence
Tell them what you saw so they can remember better

Voir la réponse

Réponse: C. Politely decline to discuss your evidence

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

Question 7 sur 25

What is a solemn affirmation?

A written summary of your evidence
A non-religious promise to tell the truth that has the same legal effect as an oath
A weaker promise that allows small mistakes
A promise used only by police officers

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 8 sur 25

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

Refusing to look at the accused
Knowingly making a false statement under oath or affirmation, intending to mislead
Making an honest mistake and correcting it
Forgetting a detail while testifying

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 9 sur 25

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

90 days
14 years
6 months
2 years

Voir la réponse

Réponse: B. 14 years

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

Question 10 sur 25

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

Examination in chief (direct examination)
Cross-examination
Sentencing
Re-examination

Voir la réponse

Réponse: A. Examination in chief (direct examination)

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

Question 11 sur 25

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

Generally no, except for simple matters such as names, dates and undisputed facts
Yes, they are always allowed
Only if the witness asks for them
Only if the jury agrees

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 12 sur 25

What is the purpose of cross-examination?

The other side tests the witness's evidence, for example by pointing out contradictions or memory gaps
The judge thanks the witness for attending
The witness asks the accused questions
The witness reads their full report aloud

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 13 sur 25

What is re-examination?

Questions from the jury to the accused
A test the witness must pass to testify
A second trial for the same offence
Further questions from the side that called the witness, about issues raised in cross-examination

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 14 sur 25

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

Sir or Madam
Your Honour
Mr. or Ms. Judge
Officer

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 15 sur 25

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

Your Worship
By their first name
Chief
Justice followed by the judge's last name

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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".

Question 16 sur 25

Can a witness look at their notes while testifying?

Yes, with the judge's permission, to refresh their memory
No, notes are never allowed in court
Yes, and they may read out any notes they like without asking
Only if the accused agrees

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 17 sur 25

Which notes are most useful for refreshing memory in court?

Notes made close to the event, while the memory was fresh
Notes written by another guard who was not there
Notes rewritten the week before trial
Notes copied from the incident's news coverage

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 18 sur 25

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

Say honestly that you do not remember
Refuse to answer any more questions
Guess, so you do not look unprepared
Make up a likely answer

Voir la réponse

Réponse: A. Say honestly that you do not remember

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

Question 19 sur 25

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

Stay silent until the lawyer moves on
Ask the accused to explain it
Ask for the question to be repeated or rephrased
Answer the question they think was meant

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 20 sur 25

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

Refuse to continue until the lawyer apologizes
Argue with the lawyer to defend yourself
Raise your voice so the judge sees you are upset
Stay calm and polite and answer the question truthfully

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 21 sur 25

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

Say nothing and hope nobody notices
Change later answers to match the mistake
Tell the court and correct it as soon as they notice
Wait until after court to tell the Crown

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 22 sur 25

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

Toward the accused
Toward the public gallery
Toward the judge (or the jury), clearly and loudly enough for all to hear
Only toward the lawyer who asked, in a quiet voice

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 23 sur 25

What should a guard's answers in court contain?

The guard's opinion of the sentence
Only facts the guard saw, heard or did
The guard's guesses about why the accused did it
What other people told the guard about the accused's past

Voir la réponse

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

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

Question 24 sur 25

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

They cannot be cross-examined
Their testimony cannot be used to incriminate them in other proceedings, except for perjury or contradictory evidence
They can refuse to answer any question they dislike
They cannot be asked about their notes

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Question 25 sur 25

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

Bring the evidence items from the site yourself
Arrive exactly at the start time to avoid waiting
Arrive early, dress neatly and bring the subpoena and notes
Wear sunglasses so you look confident

Voir la réponse

Réponse: 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.

Giving Evidence in Court Course for Guards 2026

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