• I've got to go to court as a witness. Need advice.
    55 replies, posted
I got a letter through the post today from the police asking if I could give some information about an event that I witnessed back in [B]2006[/B]. I phoned up the police (nervously as hell, I bet I sounded guilty myself). It wasn't anything special, it was just a fight a friend had with somebody. I was with him at the time. 4 years ago though...hard as hell to remember. So anyway I rang up and told him all I knew, he thanked me a lot and said that it could help in the investigation and that if need be would I be willing to attend crown court and say this. I told him that I'd be really nervous, and I'm not a very good public speaker. He explained that I'm not the only one and that there's other witnesses too, even police officers. I'll be missing college to attend. Has anybody else done this? What's involved in the process? [Hezzy?] Really scared :ohdear:
do you receive a monetary reward?
[QUOTE=catch33;19723989]do you receive a monetary reward?[/QUOTE] I don't think so.
relax when you are there. you are not going to jail or anything. when i was going to the court also as a witness. after it, i feels pretty good. because you did something right. maybe he did something more that was wrong. and without you, eh might been free.
Trust me, just about every witness is nervous in court. Just answer the questions, speak clearly, and you will be fine.
Chill. I know it's gonna be nervewracking, but just be honest and say what you remember, that'll be the end of it.
Well actually don't trust me because I don't have a job in the courtroom and have only attended court a few times as a defendent. However my point still stands, everyone is nervous.
Well are you a witness for that crime specifically or are you a character witness?
[QUOTE=Lankist;19724056]Well are you a witness for that crime specifically or are you a character witness?[/QUOTE] Wait, what's the difference? Sorry. I saw the fight, not the murder.
Go for it, you might end up contributing to putting a criminal in jail.
[QUOTE=Cypher_09;19724065]That crime specifically.[/QUOTE] Then just go up there and answer the questions as best you can. Don't worry about what happens after you leave the court, don't worry about what happened before you came in. Just recite everything you know on the subjects that you are prompted. Don't be dramatic, it's okay to be nervous, and do not withhold any information for any reason whatsoever. You can refuse to testify if you so choose, but my own personal bias would make me suggest you testify truthfully and fully. [editline]11:46AM[/editline] [QUOTE=Cypher_09;19724065]Wait, what's the difference? Sorry. I saw the fight, not the murder.[/QUOTE] A character witness is someone who did not witness the crime but instead personally knew the defendant and is there to testify their good will and incapability to commit the crime, OR their instability and previous crimes or criminal behavior. A normal witness is someone who actually witnessed part of or all of the crime in question. If the fight was directly related to and/or immediately preceded a murder, you are a normal witness. If it was a completely independent and unrelated event you are a character witness. It does not matter which you are, you testify the same way. Answer the questions of both the defense and the prosecution truthfully and fully.
Everything I say will be the truth. As long as it helps bring this guy to justice. He was an asshole in school (He's a year younger than me, and a killer...)
I think that if you know things, it's your duty to testify. I think there's a handful of people in the prison systems who would wish for such a thing in country's where witness testimony is a pipe dream. You should do it. Just go up there and say what you know, don't add or leave out anything, regardless of what you think or want to do. You're helping out by doing a good thing.
[QUOTE=Cypher_09;19723972]I got a letter through the post today from the police asking if I could give some information about an event that I witnessed back in [B]2006[/B]. I phoned up the police (nervously as hell, I bet I sounded guilty myself). It wasn't anything special, it was just a fight a friend had with somebody. I was with him at the time. 4 years ago though...hard as hell to remember. So anyway I rang up and told him all I knew, he thanked me a lot and said that it could help in the investigation and that if need be would I be willing to attend crown court and say this. I told him that I'd be really nervous, and I'm not a very good public speaker. He explained that I'm not the only one and that there's other witnesses too, even police officers. I'll be missing college to attend. Has anybody else done this? What's involved in the process? [Hezzy?] Really scared :ohdear:[/QUOTE] Crown court.... You life in reading/ oxford?
[QUOTE=actionhank;19724156]I think that if you know things, it's your duty to testify. I think there's a handful of people in the prison systems who would wish for such a thing in country's where witness testimony is a pipe dream. You should do it. Just go up there and say what you know, don't add or leave out anything, regardless of what you think or want to do. You're helping out by doing a good thing.[/QUOTE] Thanks, that made me feel a little better. :smile:
[QUOTE=Cypher_09;19724184]Thanks, that made me feel a little better. :smile:[/QUOTE] You are welcome sir. I know it's kind of intimidating and all, but you're helping out in a big way. Just make sure you don't do anything that could get your testimony thrown out like talking to anyone about anything after. I know it's an unlikely event, but better safe than sorry. [B]:EDIT:[/B] Wait, that might just be for jurors. Fuck it, i don't know what i'm talking about. Just do yo thang.
Don't be scaret, they love witnesses in court cos they have balls
[QUOTE=KillerSlash;19724178]Crown court.... You life in reading/ oxford?[/QUOTE] Preston
[QUOTE=Leg of Doom;19724263]Don't be scaret, they love witnesses in court cos they have balls[/QUOTE] ya don't be scaret
[QUOTE=Cypher_09;19724276]Preston[/QUOTE] Don't even know if thats in england Near oxford? reat me dumb, that hepls my goegrafical nolidge! I AM IMMUNE YOUR YOUR 16 x 16 PIXEL IMAGES!
Just tell the truth and nothing but the truth.
[QUOTE=KillerSlash;19724291]Don't even know if thats in england Near oxford? reat me dumb, that hepls my goegrafical nolidge! I AM IMMUNE YOUR YOUR 16 x 16 PIXEL IMAGES![/QUOTE] North west England.
Don't be stupid and lie.
[QUOTE=Kymandu;19724411]Don't be stupid and lie.[/QUOTE] A+ advice right here, thanks captain obvious.
[QUOTE=Giner;19724479]A+ advice right here, thanks captain obvious.[/QUOTE] it's obvious it is obvious, you didn't need to point that out captain obvious.
try to remember things about that day. objects, events, the weather, what you ate.
Just don't stand up and yell "THIS WAS ME ALL THE TIME.I DIDN'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!". Don't be scared,if you don't remember,that's their fault,because they are so lazy....
Tell the truth or live in guilt is all i can say :)
Go to court in a fursuit, it should make a good first impression. Seriously, just go there and tell what you know (without lying), it's not strange to be nervous or stammer in a place like that.
[QUOTE=Lance99;19724834]Just don't stand up and yell "THIS WAS ME ALL THE TIME.I DIDN'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!". Don't be scared,if you don't remember,that's their fault,because they are so lazy....[/QUOTE] Really? 'cause i was thinking of saying that... [img]http://blurredproductions.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/sisko-facepalm.jpg[/img]
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