Not to attend court tomorrow

[GettingThemFromHereToThere]

I was a witness to a fight a few years ago. I didn't know either of the parties and no one was seriously hurt (the"victim" actually initiated the fight and ended up with a broken cheek bone or similar - nothing life changing or particularly nasty). It was a one punch type fight between two guys of equal standing.

Anyway... A solicitor got in touch recently wanting a witness statement. I stupidly agreed I was there and provided a statement.

Now I've received a summons today to attend court TOMORROW. I don't want to attend. I'm very busy at work and my partner needs the car to take kids to school.

• Do I have to go?
• what will happen if I don't?
• It seems they need to provide 7 days notice?
• How much compensation can I get for a missed day in the office and kids missing school?

Thank you!

I had similiar and I ignored the first letter and a couple months later the police came hammering at my door. Twats.
I had to attend court twice and eventually the guy pleaded guilty.
If its really the first letter and it wasnt recorded I would just ignore it. They should have given you more notice.

It's ridiculous that you have received such little notice, what if you were away on holiday??

This fight happened a few years ago? Why has it taken so long to get to court and give you such short notice!

@GinIronic

This fight happened a few years ago? Why has it taken so long to get to court and give you such short notice!

Welcome to our justice system.

OP, it's the defence who want you to go by the sounds of it. So you will be doing the defendant a favour by going.

Others are right in that you have to attend. However I would phone the court tomorrow because there is every chance it will be adjourned anyway.

Is it magistrates or crown? What is the offence? I assume if it was a fractured bone then the defendant was charge minimum with Assault ABH which is likely to happen in crown. If that's the case I would almost put money on it being adjourned. Either way, defendants often plead guilty at this stage (usually bargaining for a lesser offence)

Definitely contact the court first thing to find out if it's actually going ahead.

Less than 24h notice is complete nonsense. You could have been at work and not got in till after 6pm easily before seeing your mail, thus zero time to make arrangements.
When was it dated as being sent? Has it been sat in a RM backlog for a couple of weeks and you were just fortunate to receive it in time or was it only sent a day or 2 ago?