Any Scottish police officers/ lawyers around?

[ChippyDucks]

I've received a citation to appear as a witness at a trial next month. Without going into detail, we live in a small town and I really don't want to give evidence against this person. What would happen to me if I didn't go?

Have you taken a look at this?

www.mygov.scot/being-a-witness/your-citation/

If you don't go you can get into trouble. Like a warrant for your arrest kind of trouble.

Yes read through the link above and speak to court about your worries. I suppose it depends how important you are to the prosecution case whether they will insist that you are there. Years ago I was called as a witness in a fraud case as I had unwittingly accepted a forged cheque while working in a shop, I called the Procurator Fiscal's office as there wasn't much I could remember about the event anyway, and they excused me from attending. If you are worried about consequences, they can arrange for you to give evidence by video link or behind a screen - but you have to ask about this in advance.

I suppose though if you didn't contact them and just didn't turn up, you;d be guilty of contempt of court which could be prison or more likely a big fine.

CALL THEM.

Hmm. Of course I wouldn't just not turn up, I was wondering if there was any way of getting out of it. For example, the incident took place in a pub months ago, I had obviously been drinking and my recollection now is slightly hazy.
Plus I don't really want to be there with all the accused's family in court seeing me give evidence.

Call the PF and speak to them. If there were loads of other people in the pub who remember the incident very clearly, they may excuse you.

I'd write in the first instance to the court to outline your concerns - sounds like you have good grounds for being excused.

If every witness is local though they are unlikely to excuse witnesses based on that premise.

I would write to the PF with your concerns, there may be things they can do to help. I do however think it's unlikely they would excuse you for the reason you gave.