Do you have to go to court as a witness if asked?

Do you have to go to court as a witness if asked?

Author
Discussion

Frix

678 posts

190 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
You don't say what role the witness has. If they are the aggrieved party who has seen nothing then I would expect that evidence may be agreed. If they are witnessing the actual incident then they may be compelled anyway. The tick in the box is an indication of their views - not the officer deciding whether they will or not. I do agree this needs to represent what they said though. The CJS treats witnesses appallingly but in the bigger picture you don't want people to commit crime in your area. This means that the public need to step up on occasion as previously posted.

oyster

12,561 posts

247 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
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What hope dowe have as a society if witnesses to crimes won't even go to court to help get criminals behind bars.

In my opinion, if you do this you forfeit any right to ever complain again about crime or the justice system in this country.

mph1977

12,467 posts

167 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
do they meet the acknowledged criteria to be considered a Vulnerable Adult ?

10 Pence Short

32,880 posts

216 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
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mph1977 said:
do they meet the acknowledged criteria to be considered a Vulnerable Adult ?
It doesn't cross the line for me. An accused should with only rare exceptions be able to see their accusors and those giving evidence against them.

It sounds like an unfortunate situation and, with my OH heavily pregnant, a worrier and with high blood pressure, I sympathise.

There isn't an easy answer, other than do your duty.

If it's any comfort, witness intimidation legislation protects those involved for a year after trial. Anything done against your friend during that period is generally considered as being for that purpose unless tjey can prove otherwise and the starting point is usually chokey.

Pothole

34,367 posts

281 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
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wizzbilly said:
I have refused to go to court 3 times on the grounds i dont want some scum bag going down the side of my car with a key etc and police wont make anything stick on the criminal anyway and if do will be fine and slap on the hand .

so what happens should he op go to court then further down the line his stuff gets vandalised .

ask yourself one question why do the majority of officers i speak to live away from where they work sort of says it all realy .
Oh, the delicious irony!

They must find it hard to make anything stick when witnesses don't want to turn up!

daz3210

5,000 posts

239 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
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10 Pence Short said:
If it's any comfort, witness intimidation legislation protects those involved for a year after trial. Anything done against your friend during that period is generally considered as being for that purpose unless tjey can prove otherwise and the starting point is usually chokey.
Why only 12 months? Some people have long memories.


Frix

678 posts

190 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
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daz3210 said:
Why only 12 months? Some people have long memories.
Because that is what the law says