News1 min ago
previous convictions
I am going to be a witness at a court case. I have a minor spent conviction. Can this be brought up by the defence?
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The 'other side' likes to discredit witnesses, or, at least, raise sufficient questions as to their honesty/reliability in the minds of the jurors.
I think the chances of having your 'indiscretion' brought up in open court would depend on several factors;
1. The nature of your crime -v- the nature of the case you are giving witness in;
2. The 'weight' of the evidence you can give; are you the star witness, or just a bystander ?
Talk to the barrister on 'your' side and make them aware of your circumstances; they will be best placed to advise you. If the matter is raised before the court, they, hopefully, would have the eloquence to reduce it to a 'trifling, piddling little matter committed as a folly of youth and not worth the court's time in answering'.........or something.
I think the chances of having your 'indiscretion' brought up in open court would depend on several factors;
1. The nature of your crime -v- the nature of the case you are giving witness in;
2. The 'weight' of the evidence you can give; are you the star witness, or just a bystander ?
Talk to the barrister on 'your' side and make them aware of your circumstances; they will be best placed to advise you. If the matter is raised before the court, they, hopefully, would have the eloquence to reduce it to a 'trifling, piddling little matter committed as a folly of youth and not worth the court's time in answering'.........or something.
See my first answer.
If the 'other side' wants to discredit you, it will have investigators working on every detail of your past. In barristers can mention anything that may help their client.
However, it is unlikely that your misdemeanor will make it into the newspapers when they report on the case itself.
If the 'other side' wants to discredit you, it will have investigators working on every detail of your past. In barristers can mention anything that may help their client.
However, it is unlikely that your misdemeanor will make it into the newspapers when they report on the case itself.