Witness in Crown Court. Daft, nervous questions...
Discussion
Dress smart but comfortable, no need for a suit as most of the jury will look like they are in an Aldi anyway.
You do not say if you are witness for prosecution or defence but either way, stick to the facts, do not get dragged into the maybes it is for others to decide.
Also be prepared for the opposite side to try to put words in your mouth or make you look stupid. It is their job to prove their client innocent if defending or guilty if prosecuting, it is not personal it is their job.
You are not on trial so just relax and take a book as it may be a while before you get called
You do not say if you are witness for prosecution or defence but either way, stick to the facts, do not get dragged into the maybes it is for others to decide.
Also be prepared for the opposite side to try to put words in your mouth or make you look stupid. It is their job to prove their client innocent if defending or guilty if prosecuting, it is not personal it is their job.
You are not on trial so just relax and take a book as it may be a while before you get called
spaximus said:
Dress smart but comfortable, no need for a suit as most of the jury will look like they are in an Aldi anyway.
You do not say if you are witness for prosecution or defence but either way, stick to the facts, do not get dragged into the maybes it is for others to decide.
Also be prepared for the opposite side to try to put words in your mouth or make you look stupid. It is their job to prove their client innocent if defending or guilty if prosecuting, it is not personal it is their job.
You are not on trial so just relax and take a book as it may be a while before you get called
Hopefully if the "other side" try it on, your home team will step in if waranted. You do not say if you are witness for prosecution or defence but either way, stick to the facts, do not get dragged into the maybes it is for others to decide.
Also be prepared for the opposite side to try to put words in your mouth or make you look stupid. It is their job to prove their client innocent if defending or guilty if prosecuting, it is not personal it is their job.
You are not on trial so just relax and take a book as it may be a while before you get called
If it was anything like mine, I dressed in a suit but no tie if I remember, jacket with a smart v-neck underneath.
The prosecution took me through my witness statement which if I remember I actually had in front of me in the courtroom. Quite simple, reconstruction of events supported by what I'd said at the time.
Defence then had a go at picking holes in what I'd said with little success, I think the only point they got me on was I'd said a measurement was 10 metres in my witness statement but he asked me to estimate it in court (and I forgot I'd said the actual measurement in my statement) and I replied "8 or 9 metres". Obviously the response to that was "Which statement are we to trust Mr Rizzo, the one you made on the day or the one you stated in court this afternoon?". It was only half-hearted though as the defendant was guilty as sin.
There was a lot of waiting around in the world's smallest waiting room but I quite enjoyed the day. The jury looked thoroughly bored out of their brains by the time I got up to the box.
The prosecution took me through my witness statement which if I remember I actually had in front of me in the courtroom. Quite simple, reconstruction of events supported by what I'd said at the time.
Defence then had a go at picking holes in what I'd said with little success, I think the only point they got me on was I'd said a measurement was 10 metres in my witness statement but he asked me to estimate it in court (and I forgot I'd said the actual measurement in my statement) and I replied "8 or 9 metres". Obviously the response to that was "Which statement are we to trust Mr Rizzo, the one you made on the day or the one you stated in court this afternoon?". It was only half-hearted though as the defendant was guilty as sin.
There was a lot of waiting around in the world's smallest waiting room but I quite enjoyed the day. The jury looked thoroughly bored out of their brains by the time I got up to the box.
You should be fine. When I did it the clerk of of the court took all us witnesses into the court room before it started.
Explained who would be sat where and what was expected of us. I was terrified, but it was ok.
Just state the facts. Don't try and add or subtract anything.
Good luck.
Explained who would be sat where and what was expected of us. I was terrified, but it was ok.
Just state the facts. Don't try and add or subtract anything.
Good luck.
As above, you’re not on trial (but your evidence will be tested). If it feels like a barrister is having a go at you, it’s really not personal. They are just doing their job.
Advice I was given many years ago by a barrister (which has stood me in good stead): answer the question you are asked - don’t try and guess where the line of questioning might be going. If you’re not clear what you’re being asked, say so/ask them to repeat or rephrase the question. If you don’t know something, say you don’t know. If you don’t remember something, say you don’t remember. Don’t guess.
Most barristers will know your answer to the question they are asking, before they ask it.
Above all (and it sounds obvious), tell the truth.
Advice I was given many years ago by a barrister (which has stood me in good stead): answer the question you are asked - don’t try and guess where the line of questioning might be going. If you’re not clear what you’re being asked, say so/ask them to repeat or rephrase the question. If you don’t know something, say you don’t know. If you don’t remember something, say you don’t remember. Don’t guess.
Most barristers will know your answer to the question they are asking, before they ask it.
Above all (and it sounds obvious), tell the truth.
Bill said:
Just found out I'm needed tomorrow, so I'm having a wobble! 
Assume it'll be fine, I review my witness statement and sit around a lot.
Main one is, should I wear a suit? I'd tend to go with chinos and a shirt for choice.
I am experienced being review/question in court (because of my job)Assume it'll be fine, I review my witness statement and sit around a lot.
Main one is, should I wear a suit? I'd tend to go with chinos and a shirt for choice.
Just remember stay calm, Barrister are very good at "provoking" your emotion
do not try to guess, you know it or you don't, if you do not remember you do not remember
answer in easily understandable manner, i.e. avoid excessive technical jargon, the judge and jury might not be professional in your area
Edited by kurokawa on Monday 7th February 23:23
Canon_Fodder said:
Wear an orange all-in-one jump suit.
Go on, you know you want to
no dress as Danny from withnail and I Go on, you know you want to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjt36D2k55g
Some advice I was given about giving evidence.
Only answer the question they’ve asked.
Take a breath before you answer.
Give your answer to the jury in crown court (I find this hard to do as it seems rude not looking at who asked me the question!).
I’ve got to go to court this week for the first time in two years. I always get nervous beforehand! Once I’m there I quite enjoy it.
Only answer the question they’ve asked.
Take a breath before you answer.
Give your answer to the jury in crown court (I find this hard to do as it seems rude not looking at who asked me the question!).
I’ve got to go to court this week for the first time in two years. I always get nervous beforehand! Once I’m there I quite enjoy it.
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