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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Attending court as witness at 38 weeks pg

92 replies

Lunaticfringe12 · 13/07/2016 18:56

Hi,

I'm due on 5th Aug and will be induced by then at the latest. However also due to attend court as a witness on 27th July for the prosecution for a minor assault I witnessed nearly two years ago.

Do you think I will be reasonable to ask for exemption from court on this basis? I think it is up to my Gp to decide but don't want a wasted trip if Iabu.

Thanks.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lunaticfringe12 · 13/07/2016 20:13

I have heard that witnesses and the accused may have to be in the same room, and am worried that the accused will try and intimidate me maybe? I think there is a phone helpline at the court for vulnerable witnesses so maybe I will call that tom. Assuming that I would be classified as 'vulnerable' witness.

OP posts:

Nicknacky · 13/07/2016 20:15

The witnesses and the accused will not be in the same room. Not to say you won't see them in the building but you will be in a separate room.

To be honest, going in so heavily pregnant would be my idea of a dream as there is no way the defence will give you a hard time lol!

BeckyMcDonald · 13/07/2016 20:15

I'd still do it. I was still working in courts at 38'weeks in all of my pregnancies. The days are not all that long (9.30am until you're called, then you can go. It's unlikely to be later than 4.30) and you can basically just sit down or walk around if you like. If you're uncomfortable, I'm sure a member of court staff will find you a softer chair. It's not ideal but I think you should do it.

Original poster

Lunaticfringe12 · 13/07/2016 20:19

cabrihna out of interest, have you been in a similar situation yourself, you seem to have quite strong views on the subject.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lunaticfringe12 · 13/07/2016 20:22

Ok glad to hear the court might make some allowances. Prob best to get on with it.

OP posts:

Ivorbig1 · 13/07/2016 20:23

Jeez... You won't be on the same room,,, just go..... You are only pregnant fgs.

ratspeaker · 13/07/2016 20:23

Id contact the procurator fiscals office and explain you will be 38 weeks pregnant.

After all its possible the baby may be early.

I have been called as a witness, travelled to court waited around, they had a tv on daytime tv, I had a book to read. Witnesses are kept apart from defendants.
Usher came in to dismiss us as case was postponed.
Went back a few weeks later. Waited around. Read book. Got called into the witness room. Usher then came to say plea had changed and we were not needed.
It was more boring than stressful but then again I never got as far as the courtroom

Highway61 · 13/07/2016 20:26

I wouldn't. If the doctor will write you a letter, I'd go with that. Way too much stress for a very pregnant woman!

Roomba · 13/07/2016 20:28

Unless there are physical reasons related to your pregnancy that mean it would be very difficult for you to attend (i.e. unable to sit for long periods), I would think it is far, far better to attend before you have the baby than after the baby is born.

My friend had to attend court like this and as it happens, she ended up giving birth the day before. It was postponed, but only for 3 weeks. She was then told in no uncertain terms that she was required to attend no matter what - they were very unsympathetic indeed. She ended up having to take a 3 week old along, they made her wait all day from 9.30am til 4.20pm and then told her she couldn't actually take the bay in with her so she had to have court staff watch the baby while she was in there. She found it very distressing. She had to take the baby as she was breastfeeding. This was in England so it may be different in Scotland.

EreniTheFrog · 13/07/2016 20:28

Can we stop with the "only pregnant" business? Pregnancy affects women in VERY different ways. None of us know how the OP might feel at 38 weeks.

PridePrejudiceZombies · 13/07/2016 20:34

Bizarre how many people seem to think them having been working still at 38 weeks is somehow relevant or helpful.

Original poster

Lunaticfringe12 · 13/07/2016 20:36

Ok well just hoping this sort of thing doesn't happen www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/cousin-rutherglen-murder-victim-jailed-8399038#I1xJLvsZ8X7WCesE.97

I actually believe that the accused is a serious violent criminal so I hope people can understand why I'm not exactly desperate to go.

And from what I've heard, witness intimidation in quite common outside the court etc. Again it appears that I'll just need to hope for the best and go.

OP posts:

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 13/07/2016 20:37

Agree with the above. My second pregnancy was 'easy' and I'd have been fine at 38 weeks. My first one when I was planning to work until due date I'd got a 3 week old by 38 weeks. Each pregnancy and person is different.

I would imagine it'd be easier to give evidence pregnant than postpartum with a newborn though.

microscope · 13/07/2016 20:38

GPs who write such letters have been done for contempt of court.

Original poster

Lunaticfringe12 · 13/07/2016 20:39

pride yes I agree not sure how going to work is the same as being cross examined in court case involving violent criminal.

OP posts:

bakeoffcake · 13/07/2016 20:42

Gosh there are some really rude goody individuals on this thread.

My DH was sent a six page A4 booklet about given evidence. It's starts by acknowledging that many, many people are anxious about giving evidence and it gives lots of advice, explains the procedure, layout of the court, contact details of people at the court etc. It sounds like you haven't had any of this OP. But rest assured you certainly aren't the only person who is anxious about going to court, it's totally understandable.

bakeoffcake · 13/07/2016 20:44

I was still throwing up 3 or 4 times a day at 38 weeks. I'd have been great in a witness box

Original poster

Lunaticfringe12 · 13/07/2016 20:46

Thanks cake I realise I maybe shouldn't have posted in Aibu now...

OP posts:

Redglitter · 13/07/2016 21:07

Highway all a letter from the GP is going to do.is postpone things. It's not going to get her exempt from going. Being recalled in say 3 orv4 months time when she has a newborn is going to be a lot worse

bakeoffcake · 13/07/2016 21:09

You live and learn lunatic .

BlackeyedSusan · 13/07/2016 21:15

I could not walk or stand at 38 weeks for more than a few metres/2-3 minutes. also was in pain from ribs and constantly out ofof breath. It took five minutes to recover from going upstairs so I had enough breath to speak. Not everybody sails through pregnancy with no issues. oh and the braxton hicks were not pleasant either at that point.

hownottofuckup · 13/07/2016 21:16

I don't think Scotland has witness care officers like England and Wales do.
This might be worth a look OP...
www.scotcourts.gov.uk/coming-to-court/witnesses
In my experience the courts are pretty accommodating and obviously the prosecution want you to be there so they tend to try and make it as easy as possible.

BlackeyedSusan · 13/07/2016 21:17

having said that I did maternity cover for a teacher who worked until 38 weeks..

Runningupthathill82 · 13/07/2016 21:23

I've spent countless days in court - yes, at 38 weeks pregnant too. The days are very short, there are lots of breaks, lots of sitting around and (usually) very easy access to loos and drinks.

OP, I can understand why you don't want to do it. But your evidence is important - you wouldn't have been called if it wasn't. I don't think it's at all reasonable to try and get out of it.

From my experience, witness intimidation is very rare, so I wouldn't worry on that score. And as a pp said, being so pregnant could actually be beneficial - the defence won't want to push you too hard!

DeathStare · 13/07/2016 21:23

I gave evidence at 36 weeks pregnant. It was fine.

Being at witness is really just a lot of sitting around. Take a book. You usually have access to a cafeteria as well. And you won't be in the same room as the accused. Point out that you are very nearly due to the clerks and I'm sure they will look after you.

I gave evidence sitting down - there's no way the judge will make you stand up. And I had several toilet breaks (I agreed a hand signal with the clerk for when I needed the loo).

Honestly you'll be fine

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