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Original poster

Anyone been to court as a prosecution witness? I'm worried!

14 replies

monkeyandcheekychops · 27/05/2007 18:38

I'm in court next week as the main witness for the prosecution of someone at work.

Her husband threatened to kill her and was very abusive to me. I've never been to court and apart from watching things on tv I have no idea what to expect!

Hope someone can help and put my mind at rest!

OP posts:
elsieanjoanne · 27/05/2007 19:07

just be honest and expect your words to be twisted an it made to sound like your fault, remember you doing good thing for your friend!

Jbck · 27/05/2007 19:33

I was almost in contempt as the Sherrif (Scottish courts) was an old codger who could not accept that he didn't know best. I was berated for not asking him if I could affirm, when I asked the clerk, like I knew who I should address, I wasn't in the habit of attending court. Then he was 'clarifying' my evidence to the court & got it wrong, the lawyer pointed out the anomalies and was told 'I think I know what the witness is trying to say!' He didn't.
Just tell the truth, don't look at the accused if you're nervous & speak up.
Good luck.

DimpledThighs · 27/05/2007 19:37

can you ask for some time with the prosecutor before hand to run through things with you?

Pan · 27/05/2007 19:39

Have been a witness a few times...can offer the following..

  • rely heavily on whatever the barrister says. He/she knows the business of court, what is relevant and what is not.

  • stick to what you know. If you tell the truth, and go no further, you will be on safe ground.

  • big one, for me, - it is NOT you on trial!! The prosection have to prove an offence took place, and who committed it. You help them with info. The barrister will know how to put it across, and prepare you to be cross examined.

Good luck.

foxinsocks · 27/05/2007 19:41

I don't know if times have changed, but I think the court should have a sort of witness service - they take you on a tour of the courtroom, show you where you will stand, how the proceedings will work etc. Might put your mind at rest a bit. I think you call the court or ask the lawyer to arrange it.

Original poster
monkeyandcheekychops · 27/05/2007 20:29

Thanks for replying everyone! I'm really more worried I say too much, the guy is a psycho and should be locked up as far as I'm concerned and was a wife beater for years before she finally left him.

He started causing problems for her at work to try and get her sacked but we all just brushed it off. He went so far that she had to call the police after he rammed her car on the way home from work and smashed her side window, I feel it was a very real threat to kill her and the abuse I was getting was pretty bad but only over the phone when I wouldn't put her on the phone!

I'm sure me being worried is nothing like how she feels but she has been in court before and knows how things are done.

Thanks for helping x

OP posts:
hippopotamouse · 03/06/2007 23:01

Hi again,

Need some more advice regarding this case!

Apparently he was in court on Wednesday and pled/pleaded (?) guilty so I don't need to go and give evidence. A big bunch of flowers from him came to work that day with an apology (WTF!) for putting my boss through it all and saying he had said he was guilty to stop all the hurt and bad feelings between them!

I haven't had anything official through to tell me not to go so what do I do now?

It's this Tuesday so I think he might be lying to get us into trouble?

hippopotamouse · 03/06/2007 23:02

I change my name a lot but I'm not a troll honest!

edam · 03/06/2007 23:07

I wouldn't just take his word for it. Call the court and check if the case is still listed or look up your paperwork and track someone down who can give you the facts. If he is having you on, and you don't turn up, it could cause very serious problems.

TheBlonde · 03/06/2007 23:07

Call tomorrow and find out if you are needed in court or not - I assume you have some contact details for someone offical

hippopotamouse · 03/06/2007 23:13

I was going to just turn up as usual and I haven't changed my childcare arrangements or anything.

I'm glad someone else thinks that he's talking rubbish! My boss is just glad she doesn't need to go, and I have said to her she might still need to and that he's winding her up.

TheBlonde · 04/06/2007 08:57

Good luck, hope all goes well

Judy1234 · 04/06/2007 09:52

Tell the truth.
Dress smartly.
Don't get off the point.
Say facts rather than gossip or things you're not sure about.
Keep repeating the important points you want to say even if the other side's barrister is trying to lead you into saying something else.
I'm not sure about the rules on when you're allowed in and when have to leave.
If you don't hear something ask for it to be repeated.
Stand up - it looks better.

hippopotamouse · 05/06/2007 10:41

So it turns out we didn't have to go to court after all.

I phoned the court this morning and was told that someone should've at least phoned to say I wasn't needed.

He got a fine (!) as he hasn't been in trouble for a while (mainly because she didn't report every incident!)

Anyway glad its over although I don't think the outcome was good or what she expected!

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