Going To Court

[tinkerbell23]

A letter has arrived

A statement i had to give once and now ive to go to court.

I dont want to. Not at all...

What can i do? (Scotland)

[Mamyalynne]

Hi Tinks, I understand your fears and what intrigues me most is that you say...

//I just was told it was that person//

Is that made plain in the statement you gave ? It may be worthwhile as said above contacting them and reiterating that part.

Try not to worry and get all the support from that hunky man of yours.

M ♥

[New Judge]

I'm not too familiar with Scottish law, but as far as witnesses go I believe the process is similar to that in England.

What you have is not a subpoena. (In fact that term is no longer used in the UK). All thYou have been formally “warned” that your attendance is required. If you fail to do so the prosecutor can ask the court to issue a witness summons. This usually means the trial will have to be adjourned to secure your attendance. If you fail to attend in response to the summons you can be arrested and brought to court.

You should think hard about your decision, but whatever you decide it is important that you tell somebody. Contact them and let them know what you are doing rather than just ignore the matter.

BTW Kramer, I don't think Jimmy Saville is likely to be brought to justice any time soon :-)

[tinkerbell23]

I wont ignore it.... I definately wont.

I had never seen the accused
I was told it was that person by the victim.

Mr tinks will come. Parents will be out of town so there very worried x

[vodkancoke]

I have no idea what the law is Tinks, I don't know if you have to go but I would do as others have said. Give them a ring and explain your fears with them. Hope you are ok xx

[tinkerbell23]

Thanks voddy! Ill call tomorrow x

[Clanad]

Interesting... the difference between English language as well as English law and the American version of each.

Here, in the U.S., a subpoena must be served by an officer of the court (usually a Deputy Sheriff) for which the deputy reports back to the court the subpoena was served. After that, the court can order you arressted to compel appearance. A letter would not be considered a subpoena.

It'd be illuminating what the letter says as far as the court's expectations, regardless of your desires to not appear...

[New Judge]

The initial letter, Clanad, will say(words to the effect) "you are required to attend court on dd/mm/yyyy to give evidence". There is no threat of reprisals in the event of non-attendance (for none are available).

Only in the event of a witness summons (the UK version of a subpoena) being issued is the threat of arrest available. Such a summons is not normally served personally by an officer (though it may be in some high profile cases) but instead is sent through the mail.

[tinkerbell23]

I think my hands are tied .......terrified x

[Mamyalynne]

Tinks, I do understand - but the likelihood of any comeback is extremely remote, especially seeing that when asked 'Could you identify the person' , you state the answer is no.

[tinkerbell23]

The person can cause trouble & threats and harrasment! Thats why im in this piggin mess but yeah i dont know the face i was just told "omg there is XXXXX" x

[Clanad]

Thanks, NewJudge... it's interesting to see the differences in the law and its applicability, especailly since ours are based, primarily on English Law...

[boxtops]

Hi tinks - and is that clear in your statement, that you are reporting secondhand that the victim told you it was X, but you didn't see it yourself?

[tinkerbell23]

Boxy yes im sure i said that!

I took it all so lightly because i never thought it would come to THIS! X