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

[anonymous-user]

As the title says really, do you legally have to go to court to give evidence against someone, in for example a minor theft case, if you would rather not do so?

[anonymous-user]

Jasandjules said:

NinjaPower said:

As the title says really, do you legally have to go to court to give evidence against someone, in for example a minor theft case, if you would rather not do so?

You don't have to in the first instance but a party can make an application for an order which will then require your attendance to give evidence. It depends in part upon how important your evidence might be i.e. how much it will assist the court.

Assuming we are talking about criminal cases based upon your OP.

Yes, it's a criminal matter by the sounds of it. Crown court. I don't know too much about all this sort of thing though.

[anonymous-user]

SteveScooby said:

If you don't go please don't complain in future if the criminal justice system does not live up to your expectations.

A valid point, I agree.

[anonymous-user]

Look on it as a civic duty. You can be compelled to give evidence by order of the court if need be.

[anonymous-user]

I was going to write the full story summary but thought it best not as this is obviously an ongoing police matter.

[anonymous-user]

The statement won't be used unless the witness gives evidence or it is agreed. Giving evidence behind a screen is really for spooks and similar. Anyway, you say that the evidence itself will ID the witness, so a screen won't help. The CPS is supposed, in theory at least, to be improving witness support, and concerns about retaliation should be discussed with the prosecution team.

It's a tough one, but, at the end of the day, if people do not stand up and give evidence, the system can't deliver convictions.

[anonymous-user]

I had forgotten I even started this thread...

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for your public spirited contribution!