Court

Burnsy2023 · 30 Mar 2007 at 19:52

Ok, so I work at a secondry school and one day I was asked (like I am reguarly) to produce internet usage reports from SurfControl. Well one day I ended up having to give the report to the police and give a statement (which I thought was odd, but everyone was very quiet about it all). The copper said unfortuently it is very unlikely the CPS would prosecute.

Well today I get this through the door:

Guess he was wrong.

Anyway, anyone know what I am likely to say etc? Anyone given evidence before?

Cheers

Burnsy

Azagoth · 30 Mar 2007 at 19:57

Have I got this right?

Someone's been using the schools internet connection to chat to a girl under the legal age and it's come back to you as you're the one in charge of the internet there?

I'd get a lawyer quicksmart and explain the situation. You don't want your name on the Sex Offenders register because of some crossing of wires in the CJS.

touch · 30 Mar 2007 at 19:58

Azagoth said:
Have I got this right?

I dont think so.
From what i understood the OP is only required to give evidence.

Burnsy2023 · 30 Mar 2007 at 20:01

touch said:
I dont think so.
From what i understood the OP is only required to give evidence.

Yeah, the defendant was/is a pupil at the school. Hence being tried at a youth court.

Technically, I'm there as an "expert" witness, although I don't feel expert

Burnsy

Azagoth · 30 Mar 2007 at 20:02

Ah yes, you'd have thought that after 35 years I'd have learned how to read.

In that case it's nothing to worry about, I had to give evidence in an assault case a few years back. Just turn up, follow the clerks' advice and answer the questions. That's about it really.

EDIT: How old is the defendant? Surely they can't prosecute a 15 (or school age) year old for talking dirty to a girl of a similar age.

Youstolemyname · 30 Mar 2007 at 20:08

nothing to it. Given evidence twice, once for an assault case and once for a theft case.

Just tell the truth. You aren't out to be prosecuted and it is NOTHING like the tv where lawyers are portrayed to be quite dramatic, theatrical characters.

It is very sedate and calm. The prosecution lawyer will ask you a few questions about the evidence that you have been asked to talk about and then the defence lawyer will try and smash holes in that evidence.

In my case, I was working in a pub and witnessed an assault in the car park. The prosecution lawyer asked me to describe what i saw, who i saw doing what and if they were in the room.

The defence lawyer was rubbish. He asked if the car park was floodlit and i replied 'yes', he then asked if the windows were steamed up, i replied 'no'. He then said, 'so you had a clear view of it all?' I said 'yes'....he said 'no further questions'....bit of a damning case really...

Anyways, nothing to worry about. Just tell the truth and chill out. You will get expenses too so add on a few quid for petrol

GDad · 30 Mar 2007 at 20:42

Also as it's youth court it shouldn't be as intimidating as in adult court. Usually the magistrates, barristers etc don't wear the wigs in youth court otherwise the poor little scrote that robbed the granny might find it too upsetting :rolleyes:

As said by others above, if you've any questions there should be a witness care representative at court so let them know you're there once you arrive. They should then let you read a copy of your statement, make sure you read it plenty of times. The usher will tell you how to address people and will guide you. Once in the box you'll be asked to take the oath (I swear on almighty god etc....Religious) or affirm (I solemnly and sincerely ...Non religious), whereupon you'll then be asked the questions. Direct all your answers to the magistrate, not to the person asking them. And if you're an argumentative sort and might argue with the defence a good tip is to point your feet to face the magistrate and turn your body to face the barrister when they ask the question as then you're less likely to get in an argument

scorza · 30 Mar 2007 at 20:50

burnsy2023 said:
Anyway, anyone know what I am likely to say etc?

Just say what happened - if you can't remember then say so.

From your post it sounds like all you'll be saying is that you gave the report to the police on the date in question, and you may be asked how you produced it.

Cupra · 30 Mar 2007 at 20:54

can we really talk about this as it is going to court?

Burnsy2023 · 30 Mar 2007 at 21:03

paul_64l said:
can we really talk about this as it is going to court?

Nothing said here would jepodise the case. I'm not going into specifics, just general advice.

Burnsy

Moredhel · 30 Mar 2007 at 21:15

I've been called as a witness once when I caught a shoplifter and it went to court. I dunno if it's the same everywhere, we got to read our statements when we were waiting just outside the court room, but weren't allowed them in there with us (although the lawyers were, which I thought was cheating), then both the defense and prosecution ask questions. It's all pretty straight forward, and for us the arresting officer were sat outside with us telling us about what would happen and what it would be like in there, as he had to give his evidence after us.

All in all it was a boring hour or so waiting then a nerve racking 10 minutes in the room itself talking to them.

Moredhel · 30 Mar 2007 at 21:17

Incidentally, what happens if you don't attend? Say if it's someone you are scared to testify against. Can they make you turn up? What happens if you refuse?

GDad · 30 Mar 2007 at 23:10

Depends on a case by case basis, but in extreme circumstances a bench warrant could be issued for your arrest if you are summonsed and fail to appear as a witness. Then police would come round arrest you and take you straight to court, but obviously that doesn't happen very often. Most people do turn up, you don't really want to get on the wrong side of a judge