Privacy Protection as Witness

[druskininkai]

I was recently a witness in a case of harrassment against my parents by my ex landlord. My medical records were shown to the defendant and all of the opposition witnesses without my knowledge. They have since had a real good laugh at my expense and have disclosed the details to just about everyone in the town where I live. How can this be allowed?

[its_me_baby]

well why would the prosecution have wanted a copy of ur medical records.

[VillageVicar]

First and foremost, it ought not to have been allowed. I�m not certain I understand the circumstances where, as a witness, your medical records would be called in to the scenario for the prosecution, unless, of course, part of the claim you�ve made has had to do with the stress you�ve encountered as a part of this claim. Nevertheless, as a �witness� I can�t imagine this being part of the actual documented evidence. If it was admitted as evidence, and marked as such, the defence counsel as well as the defendant have the right to inspect and query the documentation. In the interest of justice, this would be necessary.

Clearly you�re upset. However, it may be best that you seek advice from your solicitor if there have been instances where the defendant is taking steps to malign or denigrate you in public.

I wish you every success

Fr Bill

[bednobs]

was your medical condition pertinent to your reliability as a witness?
for example, do you have poor eyesight that might affect your ability to recognise people, and the case relied on you identifying them?
do you have a history of alcolhol abuse that would affect your ability to be reliable?
if so then the defendant's side would try and find out this information. If it was used to discredit you then proceedings in court are public knowledge anyway (magistates)

[rutineli]

What are you sad people chuntering on about? I abandoned this string as exhausted of worthwhile comment weeks and weeks ago and now I find that societies casualties are still squealing at each other. Move on people there is a life out there without the need to bitch at other people. I am going to unsubscribe now as I should have weeks ago because it is simply too sad to know about any more.