Off to Court
- Thread starter fossyant
- Start date
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fenlandpsychocyclist
Guest
Some good pointers within this thread about speaking in court as a witness.
Can the methods of answering be used at an employment tribunal, also as a witness ... or is that a whole different thread?
Can the methods of answering be used at an employment tribunal, also as a witness ... or is that a whole different thread?
I did a speed awareness course earlier this year. The guys running it said that it was true a couple of years ago that a lot of insurers ignored the 1st 3 points. They reckoned that had changed. I think they said they new of 1 maybe 2 insurers that it made no difference, but they weren't the cheapest to start with.
Maybe they've stopped because a lot of us can avoid those first 3 points by taking the courses?
classic33
Leg End Member
Yes, speaking from having been at two as the person who took the case there, not as witness.
classic33
Leg End Member
Not always, as I found out. Hit by a driver who gave false details to the police & the police were'nt bothered by that minor detail/fact.
It might take a few more cases like this before they start treating such incidents as RTA's rather than minor accidents.
ComedyPilot
Secret Lemonade Drinker
- Location
- The Kingdom of Yorkshire
If I were to be knocked off my bike by a car driver, I would collect some form of DNA from their body to provide positive proof of identity.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
I'm not sure that would be the time or place to collect a semen sample.
400bhp
Guru
For the record it was the second comment.
I took Drago on his word, given he is a serving police officer and AFAIK he has a law degree.
Perhaps you know better - but I don't know your background.
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
I dealt with a criminal case many years ago, where there was an "independent witness" on behalf of the accused who contradicted what the police said.
After the guilty verdict the accused admitted his guilt to the probation service, and said that he had given false evidence on an earlier matter for his "independent witness" who was merely returning the favour.
I don't envy the police having to deal with criminal dodgers all the time, the usual suspects etc. Neither of them were prosecuted for perjury, which seemed to be wrong.
I did also deal with some matters where the police seemed to get the wrong end of the stick completely, and looking at the complete picture, and fresh evidence from genuinely independent sources, the CPS withdrew the charges.
Nobody's perfect, but the first experience convinced me that a career devoted to upholding the criminal justice system was not for me. I'm grateful to those who do so, on both sides.
After the guilty verdict the accused admitted his guilt to the probation service, and said that he had given false evidence on an earlier matter for his "independent witness" who was merely returning the favour.
I don't envy the police having to deal with criminal dodgers all the time, the usual suspects etc. Neither of them were prosecuted for perjury, which seemed to be wrong.
I did also deal with some matters where the police seemed to get the wrong end of the stick completely, and looking at the complete picture, and fresh evidence from genuinely independent sources, the CPS withdrew the charges.
Nobody's perfect, but the first experience convinced me that a career devoted to upholding the criminal justice system was not for me. I'm grateful to those who do so, on both sides.
With regards to people representing themselves, once I had a very basic Drunk and Disorderly who refused his ticket and opted to go to court.
In court he defended himself and when 'cross examining' me he was simply ranting some ill concocted story. The Mags had to tell him to ask me questions or get on with it.
He had no defence and he simply just kept saying 'I wasn't drunk. So you're saying I was drunk?' To which I would reply Yes you were drunk.
He got found guilty and for wasting everyone's time he got a £600 fine instead of the 80 he would have had in custody. Brilliant.
Regarding perjury, I know some Defendants will be telling the truth as 'not all are guilty' (apparently!) but personally I have never been to court and heard the actual truth issue from any Defendant's lips during a court case... I have been to 15-20 cases at Mags and Crown.
In court he defended himself and when 'cross examining' me he was simply ranting some ill concocted story. The Mags had to tell him to ask me questions or get on with it.
He had no defence and he simply just kept saying 'I wasn't drunk. So you're saying I was drunk?' To which I would reply Yes you were drunk.
He got found guilty and for wasting everyone's time he got a £600 fine instead of the 80 he would have had in custody. Brilliant.
Regarding perjury, I know some Defendants will be telling the truth as 'not all are guilty' (apparently!) but personally I have never been to court and heard the actual truth issue from any Defendant's lips during a court case... I have been to 15-20 cases at Mags and Crown.
Brilliant. How did you keep a straight face?
How's that? Was he not supposed to leave the court?
I'm guessing the answer is "Thats not it", he'd been citing his disability which had then been shown to be greatly exagerated by his imitation of Usain Bolt
Ah, got it.
