Character Witness
Discussion
I need some help...
A friend has asked me to write a character witness for him as he is up in court very soon - I won't go into detail for legal reasons why he is. However, if I write this character witness, will it be read out in court (I don't fancy having my name read out), and more importantly, what sort of thing do I write as I have never done one before?
Any assistance much appreciated.
A friend has asked me to write a character witness for him as he is up in court very soon - I won't go into detail for legal reasons why he is. However, if I write this character witness, will it be read out in court (I don't fancy having my name read out), and more importantly, what sort of thing do I write as I have never done one before?
Any assistance much appreciated.
Be very careful about what you agree to say or do. Is he pleading guilty to the offence? I presume he must be to be requiring a character witness. In what respects are you going to offer this evidence, how long have you know the person and in what capacity?
Do you really, really know the person.
It would be foolish for you to give character evidence for someone that you do not know extremely well. You will not suffer any legal penalty for giving evidence which turns out to be misleading if you believe that it was correct, but you can tar yourself with an embarrasing brush about your ability to judge someones integrity. Make sure that you find out everything you need to so there are no skeletons that will leap out from the dock and ambush you!
Do you really, really know the person.
It would be foolish for you to give character evidence for someone that you do not know extremely well. You will not suffer any legal penalty for giving evidence which turns out to be misleading if you believe that it was correct, but you can tar yourself with an embarrasing brush about your ability to judge someones integrity. Make sure that you find out everything you need to so there are no skeletons that will leap out from the dock and ambush you!
Thanks Madcop.
I don't think I made myself totally clear on my last post.
He has asked me to write a character witness statement, not actually stand up in court. He has pleaded guilty to the charge, and he knows that he will serve time for it, which he has accepted.
I have known this person for many years too - since school days infact.
What I need to know is - will my statement be read out, and will my name be said out in court. I don't really fancy having either of these done, however, I do want to help him.
I don't think I made myself totally clear on my last post.
He has asked me to write a character witness statement, not actually stand up in court. He has pleaded guilty to the charge, and he knows that he will serve time for it, which he has accepted.
I have known this person for many years too - since school days infact.
What I need to know is - will my statement be read out, and will my name be said out in court. I don't really fancy having either of these done, however, I do want to help him.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff