It goes without saying that courts are damaging to your mental health. Cases often drag on for months and leave an ominous weight hanging over you, creating a constant source of stress. Preparing defences means reliving often traumatic instances of state violence.

There are, however, steps you can take to relieve some of the pressure of going on trial and reduce the possibility of burnout through dealing with your case. This article follows on from a previous guide on police custody and mental health. People have to engage with the court system in many different contexts and this is not in any way meant to be an exhaustive guide. Below are some brief points on surviving the court system.