COD or any other legal people - I need to pick your brains (again!)

[danceswithreindeer]

Do you think character witnesses bear any weight on the outcome of a trial? Are they just there to balance out what the prosecution has said?

bumpety bump

I don't know because I am not a criminal lawyer, but I would have thought it would be relevant in deciding whether the offence was just a one-off which was uncharacteristic of the defendant or whether they were morally "beyond redemption". But you probably need an answer from someone involved in passing sentences as to what weight they personally attach to these things...

good point mumpbump. I'm amazed to find out how completely clueless I was/am about the law until dh has been involved through our friend's husband's trial.

won't a jury add their own weight, depending on how they find teh character witness?

personally I would be prone accept them as 'back up' for the defendant, unless the crime was so heinous that only a reference from MOther Teresa would save the defendant.

why the question? emmm, is there something you would like to tell us....

aaaahhhhh. OK then

Dh has been character witness today, verdict tomorrow...it's either going to be a great Christmas or the sh*ttiest ever for my friend