Son witness at Crown Court tommorrow

mandi

Just a quickie please everyone .

As above my sons been summoned as a witness to Crown Court tomorrow .

Does anyone have any idea what he should expect please ? .

Probably a daft question , but lets say he's not looking forward to it so any info would be useful .

Thank you .

Treevo

He'll be asked questions. Make sure he's dressed smartly.

mandi

Treevo wrote: »

He'll be asked questions. Make sure he's dressed smartly.

Lol yes shirt and trousers at the ready .:j

ceh209

Based on my previous one experience...

He'll be taken to a room he can sit quietly in until he's needed, or he can choose to sit outside the courtroom. He can't sit inside and hear the evidence of others before he's given his evidence.

Barrister may have a quick chat with him beforehand, go over his statement etc as I presume he's made one already.

If he's worried about being intimidated by the defendant etc (don't know the details of this case so can't really comment), let someone know and it may be possible to have a screen while giving evidence so he can't see them.

He'll be asked to swear an oath to tell the truth, he can either do this with or without a bible.

ETA: The opposition (not sure if he's giving evidence for the prosecution or defence) may seem like they're out to get you, but try to tell him not to take it personally - he's not the one on trial. Take his time in answering, don't let them trip him up in what's he's saying, and if he's in there a long time, get him to ask for a break if he needs it.

Goldiegirl

I had to give evidence at a Crown Court a few years ago, and, although I wasn't looking forward to it, it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.

I reported to reception, and someone came to collect me. There was a room near the court room for witnesses to wait in, and they have volunteers who look after the witnesses. I spoke to the prosecuting counsellor as I was one of his witnesses. As the court wasn't in session when I arrived, I was able to look through the window at the layout of the court. It wasn't nearly as big as I'd imagined.

They explained about taking the oath, and that the counsels would ask me questions, but I should look at the jury whilst answering. A suggestion was, if I noticed a friendly looking face in the jury, to concentrate on that person.

During the questions, nobody tried to tie me up in knots, or asked difficult questions - it was all polite and friendly. I was a witness for the prosecution, and the defence counsel didn't grill me or anything.

It was actually quite an interesting experience

Tell him to try not to worry, it'll be over and done with before he knows it

Own_My_Own

Tell him to take something to do. Does he like reading ? Crosswords ?
There could be a lot of waiting around.

I was called once. I went up 3 times and was sent home every time. The case was eventually thrown out without me even getting into the courtroom.

mandi

Thanks ever so much for all the info, I appreciate it .:j

I'm going with him at his request will I be able to stay with him ?

HPoirot

He should make sure he knows exactly what he said in his witness statement, if he has one, as the questions he will be asked will relate mainly to the statement.

Counsel for the side he is summoned for (prosecution or defence) would normally have a chat with him beforehand to tell him what to expect. I was a barrister until recently and in most cases there is no heavy grilling of witnesses or provocative attitudes whatsoever. As long as he doesn't mumble in the witness box he should be fine!

lika_86

The experience will depend on whether he's a prosecution or defence witness.

Best advice I can give is for him to listen properly to the question (ie. don't just answer what he thinks is being asked) and ask for clarification or for counsel to rephrase if necessary.

Also, answer honestly, sometimes people answer how they think they should answer and give the answer they think people want to hear, this is when it all starts to go a bit wrong (ie. if for lapse of time you genuinely can't remember something, better to say that's why).

He'll probably be given a chance to re-read his witness statement beforehand as a refresher.

aileth

ceh209 wrote: »

If he's worried about being intimidated by the defendant etc (don't know the details of this case so can't really comment), let someone know and it may be possible to have a screen while giving evidence so he can't see them.
.

As far as I'm aware you can't do this so late in the day as the Prosecution has to make an application to the court for special measures.

TonyMMM

Tell him that if they ask a question and he doesn't know the answer, just say "I don't know" or "I don't remember" and stick to that .... tell him not to speculate or guess, that is a common way witnesses trip themselves up and defence barristers know it.

You will be able to stay with him, and can probably go into the public gallery of the court if you want to while he gives his evidence.