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

Whats UDM?
 
I got called up many years ago by the prosecution.
Discovered I was sitting next to the accused mates as I waited to give evidence.
Was told to keep everything simple and don’t go into stories, stick to the facts.
Got into the dock and they read out my home address , so because of the nature of the crime I expected a visit from his mates, but thankfully it didn’t happen.
He got sent down for several years.
I doubt I’d do it again to be honest.
You might find it gets canned at the last minute if the accused decides to change his or her plea.
My memory would become very hazy if they read out my address.
 
I was a witness in a case last month. The CPS/ a court usher(?) gave us some prep and tips about how a defence attorney may cross examine and try to trip us up, and allowed us to go over our statements.

They were running ridiculously behind so we were there for hours after the allotted slot, in the end the accused changed their plea given the evidence (all on CCTV) before any of us got in the courtroom.
 
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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.

Maybe it’s because you gave a statement 🤷‍♀️
 
Tell the judge you're a compulsive liar & massive racist. And therefore can't be trusted to give evidence
 
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.

Take a guide dog 👍
 
Maybe it’s because you gave a statement 🤷‍♀️

I'm amazed that there was any evidence in my statement that would be of use. I wasn't exactly the best witness, my descriptions were vague at best. I didnt have the best insight and at the time the copper said that it was unlikely it would come to court and if it did it was unlikely there was anything in my statement that would require me to attend.

Months later without contact and it appears there must have been some valid information, but I'm damned if I can think what. At least someone on here has said you get to revisit the statement, because I couldn't even tell what time of day it all happened now!
 
It’s weird being in court. You see people getting long sentences on the tele and it’s so dramatic but in court it’s like they’re being grounded for the afternoon despite getting 10 years.
 
I've only been called as a witness once but the accused changed their appeal to guilty at the last minute so I wasn't needed.
 
I'm amazed that there was any evidence in my statement that would be of use. I wasn't exactly the best witness, my descriptions were vague at best. I didnt have the best insight and at the time the copper said that it was unlikely it would come to court and if it did it was unlikely there was anything in my statement that would require me to attend.

Months later without contact and it appears there must have been some valid information, but I'm damned if I can think what. At least someone on here has said you get to revisit the statement, because I couldn't even tell what time of day it all happened now!
Stop worrying, just enjoy your day in court. Tell us later he got sent down
 
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.
RIP
Shit in their knicker draw
Say you were in Peterlee buying pasties at the time
 

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