witnes in a legal case / want opinions

[dmccarty]

It really ain't a big deal. It might be a PITA *** IF *** you have to go to court which I would be surprised would happen. If you do have to go to court just tell the truth. Nothing more. Nothing less. If you cannot remember or do not know the answer to a question say as much.

Later,
Dan

 

[Combustix]

I wanna know what all you guys are trying to hide lol

 

[dodge man]

I've gone to court a few times for my job, but I'm usually qualified as an expert witness. This means I'm allowed to give my opinions on matters before the court. You would be considered a fact witness. This means all you can tell the court is what you heard and saw. Its really not a big deal, just tell the truth. I believe if you miss work to go to court, they have to pay you something, although its usually a token amount.

 

[Soundguy]

Just saw this after I posted, pretty much everyone takes a shotgun approach on these things; still I wouldn't worry.

Worst case scenario is you get subpoenaed, you make a few bucks for saying, I really don't remember a bunch of times.

PD did tell me that depending on IF it goes to trial or not.. tenative court date would be feb 27th.. so.... I suppose the next weeks will tell as to what the SA needs of me.. if anything.. ho hum...

 

[Western]

Rule #1 - always tell the truth. If you don't remember, that is the truth.
Rule #2 - I'm guessing you are not an expert on evidence and don't know all the facts, so let the authorities decide whether what you saw and heard has any value.

Cop was just doing his job in gathering the names of witnesses.

BTW, is "PD" the Public Defender or Police Department. Kinda hard to tell in the context.

:thumbsup: Sound guy, You have the "approximate" time you saw this individual, which may be a huge lead in this investigation, (says he was over there at such and such) You also have YOUR opinion, of the possible state of mind of said person, which also may carry weight in an investigation.

Either way, you'll get a $buck for showing up

 

[Soundguy]

SoundGuy...What a pain in the rear. If the cop never saw you, you would not be harassed like that. Next time...

I can guarantee alcohol was involved...

yep on both counts...

it would be my 'GUESS' that alcohol or drugs were involved.. though I have not a shred of proof as to that guess.

as for the police not seeing me... you can sure bet I don't do the good upstanding citizen thing again and stand there and be approached by a leo.. next time if he wants me he'll have to come on my property and knock on my door...

soundguy

 

[Depmandog]

I have been through this type of thing a few times, once to appear before a grand jury and and a couple of times was deposed at a lawyers office. All were work related. The grand jury was an EPA criminal case, one of my employees had moonlighted during a slow period - and they were after the guy he moonlighted for. The deposing - I was the expert witness.

Without a doubt, the deposing was horrible!! The other lawyer grinding on and on and on. Asking the same question twenty different ways. I didn't have a personal lawyer there, and no judge to step in and say that's enough.

Your situation would be more like mine with the grand jury, pretty painless. Tell them what you did see, keep your answers short - yes sir, no sir, I don't know sir.

IF it actually gets that far -You will be fine!!

 

[PILOON]

I have been subpenaed a few times.
Last time they paid me $4.50 for expenses and nothing for my time as they said I was not needed. That used up all my morning.

Another time I was the only one to show up out of 4-5 that were called.
I believe by law one has to answer the call but that seems not to apply for some folks. Since this was in a close knit industry I knew the others and learned that they suffered no repercussions from being 'no show'.

Another time (I was the plaintiff) and had to drive a whole day for this trial.
Arrived on time on correct date and the case was not called.
Went to the clerk and was told the case was cancelled.
When I got kinda upset as being the plaintiff only I could 'drop' the case, or so I thought.
Clerk took me aside and explained that the perp (?) was the judges son!
He handed me $500. " for my expenses and loss of time etc.
That was a 'hit and run' whereby his car knocked me down in a muddy parking lot and I had his permit # plus tag# as well as two buddies as witnesses (if needed).

Nah, I never see or hear anything and am really dumb now!

 

[Short Game]

Be glad it's not the feds. It is a felony to give false information to a fed, even if you believe it is not false.

 

[MossRoad]

yep on both counts...

it would be my 'GUESS' that alcohol or drugs were involved.. though I have not a shred of proof as to that guess.

as for the police not seeing me... you can sure bet I don't do the good upstanding citizen thing again and stand there and be approached by a leo.. next time if he wants me he'll have to come on my property and knock on my door...

soundguy

Don't sweat it. All they'll want to know is what you saw and when you saw it to the best of your recollection. Look at it this way... you're not the one sitting behind the desk with the defense lawyer! :laughing: