Show All Answers

1. How should I dress?

Wear something you would choose if you were going out for dinner or going to church. Women and girls can wear dresses, skirts, dress slacks, and tops. Men and boys can wear dress pants and shirts. Clean jeans that aren't ripped are fine. Do not wear shorts, hats, a top with spaghetti straps, or a top that shows your stomach. You may want a jacket or sweater. The courtrooms can be chilly.

2. How can I get to the courthouse and where should I park?

You may park in the city parking garages:

• Duke Street


• Penn Square


• East King Street


• Prince Street

If you park in any of these garages, we can give you a voucher to pay for your parking. There is also on-street metered parking. We do not have tokens for the meters. If you need to make special arrangements for transportation to the courthouse, please call 717-299-8048 ahead of time so that we can assist you.

3. Where do I meet my victim advocate?

Come into the courthouse through the doors at 50 North Duke Street. After you go through security, take the elevator to Victim / Witness Services on the fifth floor unless you have been asked to meet the victim advocate at the courtroom.

4. Where can I get a drink or snack?

There is a coffee shop in the courthouse on the second floor. They have soup, sandwiches, a salad bar, snacks, and drinks. There are also vending machines on the second and fifth floors of the courthouse where you can buy snacks and drinks. Food and drink may not be brought into the courtrooms.

5. Where can I make phone calls?

You may always use a phone at the Victim / Witness Services office on the fifth floor. In addition, there are pay phones on the third floor and on the first floor in the Orange Street lobby. You may bring your cell phone and pager, but you will need to turn them off when you are in the courtrooms.

6. Where can I smoke?

There are no indoor locations where you can smoke in the courthouse. You must go outside through the main exit.

7. Should I bring anything with me?

Often you will have to wait to testify, so you may want to bring something along to help you pass the time. You may choose to bring your own games or reading material. You may want to bring a comfort object that can help you with nervousness or stress.

8. How long can I expect to be there?

Court begins at 9 a.m. There is a break for lunch at noon. Court resumes at 1:30 p.m. Court ends for the day at 5 p.m. The victim advocates will give you more information about the amount of time you need to be here.

9. Will anyone stay with me?

A victim advocate will answer questions, show you a courtroom, and go with you to court. You may also bring another person with you for support.

10. Who is permitted in the courtroom?

A trial is a public event and anyone may sit in the courtroom unless they have been subpoenaed. Each courtroom has benches (generally one or two) for the public. People who are going to testify are sequestered. This means that they are not permitted in the courtroom until they are called as witnesses.

11. Where can I get an excuse for missing work or school?

You can show your subpoena to your employer or school official. The victim advocate can give you a letter to say you were at court.

12. Do I get paid for being a witness?

Anyone subpoenaed for the commonwealth (District Attorney’s Office) can get witness fees. An advocate will have a witness check request form for you. You will receive $5 a day and 7 cents a mile for your travel.

13. What about security?

The courthouse has a metal detector system and x-ray at the main entrance on Duke Street and the Historic Courthouse entrance on Lenox Lane. All pocket books, briefcases, and packages will be scanned. You may not bring weapons, pocket knives, box cutters, or mace into the courthouse. If you do, the sheriffs will take them, give you a receipt, and keep them for you until you are ready to leave. There are also sheriffs in each courtroom to provide security and keep order.