If a criminal charge has been laid, the abuser will be given a date to appear in Provincial Criminal Court. At this '''first appearance''', the abuser (called "the accused" in court) can ask for a copy of both the charge and the report from the police to the '''Crown Counsel'''. (The Crown Counsel is the lawyer who prosecutes the case against the abuser on behalf of the government.) You do not need to have your own lawyer in Criminal Court. You are considered a witness and you should speak with the Crown Counsel before court so they know whether or not you want the judge to order that the accused can have contact with you or your children until the case is completed. For more information on what happens after criminal charges have been laid, see "[[I've been charged with a criminal (or youth) offence and have to go to court|I've been charged with a criminal offence and have to go to court]]" in this Guide.