Witness in court

[Chilly]

so sink a couple of beers before work in the mornings? Obvious, really!

 

[Kryten]

Fuck sake. Just been told, 6 days before the court date, that they've changed the day I have to give evidence.
I've booked the day off, organised a babysitter which is difficult enough - and they've moved it to my busiest day of the week with my 2 biggest clients.

Could be interesting now, I've just emailed them the simple reply.

"No, you're taking the mickey now. It's monday, or nothing, the ball is in your court. I've booked time off, arranged a babysitter, and my work commitments are too much to change around."

Fucking mongs.

 

[tris-]

If youre summoned then Id go unless you want to get detained.

 

[Tom]

"No, you're taking the mickey now. It's monday, or nothing, the ball is in your court. I've booked time off, arranged a babysitter, and my work commitments are too much to change around."

Fucking mongs.

That was a mistake.

 

[Kryten]

Probably. But in my black and white mind, I'm not the suspect, if they need that evidence from me, they'll have to do a bit better than that.

 

[TheBinarySurfer]

It's quite likely you're going to get a kick up the arse in one form or another from the court - documenting in writing that you have no intention of turning up was a bad idea though!

 

[Malecheon]

I don't know if such a thing exists for witnesses, but you might be better off enquiring whether they will compensate you for the change of date, rather than saying no ?

 

[Ch3tan]

You can claim for compensation for lost work, travel, childcare etc. So I really think you should have thought a lot longer before sending that reply to them Kryt.

If I were you I would phone them now and try and sort something out.

 

[Mey]

If youre summoned then Id go unless you want to get detained.

If the police have a reason to believe you won't turn up to court, you may be issued with a summons. If you fail to attend trial after receiving a summons, you can be found 'in contempt of court' and a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

If summons are issued your employer is legally obliged to give you the time of work.

 

[Cadelin]

Probably. But in my black and white mind, I'm not the suspect, if they need that evidence from me, they'll have to do a bit better than that.

Just become an unreliable witness.

Start off everything you say with: "I think I saw this" or "I don't remember very well but..."

If you are asked if you are certain about something always answer "no"

You aren't doing anything wrong and nobody can prove you were lying but they won't ask you back.

 

[Ch3tan]

Just become an unreliable witness.

Start off everything you say with: "I think I saw this" or "I don't remember very well but..."

If you are asked if you are certain about something always answer "no"

You aren't doing anything wrong and nobody can prove you were lying but they won't ask you back.

That is really shitty. If he is going to court because someone has broken the law, then they deserve punishment. Not to be let off the hook because the witness has the arse.

 

[tris-]

Yeh pretty lame to be fair. We dont know what the crime is, but if its gone to court and needs a witness like that then it is serious enough to be punished and you shouldnt pervert justic just because you CBA.

 

[Cadelin]

That is really shitty. If he is going to court because someone has broken the law, then they deserve punishment. Not to be let off the hook because the witness has the arse.

Its no worse than him saying he didn't say anything at the time of the incident or just refusing to give a statement.

The fact is Kryten is trying to help and is being treated badly. In this case the courts service should have been more helpful. Yes they may have to change the date at the last moment sometimes but they should make sure there is help available.

 

[TheBinarySurfer]

You can claim for compensation for lost work, travel, childcare etc. So I really think you should have thought a lot longer before sending that reply to them Kryt.

If I were you I would phone them now and try and sort something out.

Alternatively, lube that ass up well for a night in the pokey or a fine, or both.

 

[Kryten]

Actually, it's a bit different to that. Having a clear cut black and white mind that works entirely on schedules, and working around those schedules presents a huge headache. Not logistically - anything can be moved around, but, in laymans terms "really fucks my head up".
There's no issue with getting time off, the only person I feel like I'm letting down is me. The problem, as above, is breaking a routine.
Selfish? Hellyes. Can I help it? No. Difficult to understand for most folks, but I have to work around it.

But sometimes I need to hear reassurance from others that this is the case and that I do need to be turning up. I had a meeting last night with a member of CID and a psychiatric assessor, who confirmed my private GP's original diagnoses and are doing everything they can to help me. Enough to get me out there on the Wednesday and put this fucker away for a long time.

 

[Jiggs]

I presume this is a crown court?

I had to do this and didn't enjoy it one bit. The advice I followed was just to pick a spot on the wall and stare at it while you answer. Looks a bit weird but it's better than looking at the wigs/judge/defendants. If the wigs ask you to look at them, just say "no thanks". They will try to find your weak spot and intimidate you with a load of bollocks but just stick to your guns.

Other than that just tell the truth as well as you remember it, stick to what you saw and you'll be fine.

Oh yeah and although you might feel like it is, remember it's not you on trial - you've done nothing wrong!

/edit and do expect them to have all their mates there chuckling at what you say...

 

[Tilda]

Man up, turn up, take your time and talk slowly. The prosecution will have spoken to thousands of witnesses many of whom will have been nervous or shy or scared etc.
It wont be a pleasant experience because the defence will question you closely. Just stick to what you saw and dont make things up and you'll be fine.
You live in a society that depends on a system of laws to keep order - your duty as a member of that society is to do your part by acting as a witness.

 

[Gwadien]

Just say you wasn't wearing your glasses on the day of the crime

 

[Kryten]

Don't worry, I intend to. And trust me, I've never been scared of that sort of situation. I'm not at all scared of courts or the people inside. I'm scared of what I'll do or say to them, and scared of not actually being able to speak myself, quite literally.
Thankfully it's a yoof court, however this case only has to drag on a couple more months and it'll soon be in crown.

Thanks for the input though, it's the reassurance as such I'm after.