Going to court... any advice


Was a witness in the UDM case a few years back. Didn't think I'd get called but ended up in the witness box for what felt like an eternity.

Remember Greatrex staring at me the whole time with a scowl on his face as I happily told them of his involvement
 
Found out today I'm being called as a witness. I gave a really basic statement to police a while back and didn't expect it to reappear to be honest. So a bit of a surprise to find I'm being dragged into it. Can't really see why I'm involved, they must have had better witnesses than me!

Anyone done it? Any tips? Do the legal types give you any advice on what to do before you go in. Do you get to see the proceedings beforehand? Will I get to see the statement I gave?

I've never even seen inside a
courtroom except on TV.
Crown Court or Magistrates?

Either way you'll shit yourself when you go in the witness box and everyone is looking at YOU.

Just keep it simple and don't elaborate and remember to call the judge Sir.
 
I was witness to an assault and attended court with three mates that were also witnesses. The perpetrators had basically waited to see if anyone turned up and as soon as they were told we were there changed their plea.
 
Can't you be charged with contempt if you talk about a court case you're involved with online before or during the trial?

I'm not talking about the case itself, I'm not even saying which court, what date or the case. I'm more after info on the way a court works on the day and how people have found it.

I'm part nervous (I genuinely don't remember much about the occasion or even the details of my statement) and part really curious. But mostly shocked that I've been called.
 
If you don’t want to do it then don’t do it. They can’t force you.
They can like. If you give a statement there’s a paragraph at the top of the first page stating words to the effect of you agree to attend court if required and once it’s signed it’s legally binding. You can be summonsed if you refuse to attend.
 
Prosecution lawyer or barrister will say hello before the trial starts with a few basics. It’s not like what you see on tv, expect to be hanging around for ages unless you’re really lucky!

Decide if you want to take the oath on a holy book of your choosing beforehand or say the affirmation and let the usher know to have the stuff ready.
 
Found out today I'm being called as a witness. I gave a really basic statement to police a while back and didn't expect it to reappear to be honest. So a bit of a surprise to find I'm being dragged into it. Can't really see why I'm involved, they must have had better witnesses than me!

Anyone done it? Any tips? Do the legal types give you any advice on what to do before you go in. Do you get to see the proceedings beforehand? Will I get to see the statement I gave?

I've never even seen inside a
courtroom except on TV.
Witness protection is not so bad, apart from the surgery . Youll need a new user name though.
 

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