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Help Needed Quick Will This Affect Him When He Testifies

Why am I scared to testify in Court?

It can seem scary. I have seen this many times. The judge, jury and prosecutor will be pleased if you come to court dressed nicely (business clothes), if you tell the truth, and if you answer yes/no question with the words "yes" or "no" not "yeah", "uh-huh", etc. The defense attorney will try to trip you up by asking the same question over and over in different ways. Just stick to the truth and that shouldn't be a problem. Give the simplest answers possible, do not elaborate unless the lawyer asks you to, just stick to the facts. Do not give them more info than they ask for. You only have to be in the room with the robber while on the stand, just keep your eyes on the person asking you the question and try not to look at him very much. After this you will probably never see him again. You will do great and it will go by quickly. I don't suggest you get anti-anxiety drugs like some people suggest because they may make you sleepy or appear drugged. Do some deep breathing to calm yourself. Maybe exercise before you go to court to get out the jitters. Court is actually a very boring process, not at all like the exciting drama you see on TV. Like I said, you will do great. If you want more info on the whole court process to calm you down send me a messege and we can go over it.

How useful is eyewitness testimony?

Eyewitness testimony is the least reliable evidence, but like it was explained earlier, the more people you have, usually means the more reliable the eyewitness testimony becomes. There have been cases where most eyewitnesses to one case have recanted their testimony.

If someone is assaulted and the victim does not press charges, can the assaulter still get into legal trouble?

Others have written good answers and some of those others are lawyers or police officers ... Me? I'm neither, but I think I have a little to add that may help clarify things (but not really add a lot new).In a criminal case, the case reads e.g. New York vs. Joe Smith.  In a civil case, it would be Jane Doe vs. Joe Smith. In a criminal case, the prosecution is done by some combination of police officers, other investigators, and the city, state or federal authorities.  The police are paid by the "people".  If it goes to trial, the attorneys for the prosecution are also paid by the people. Several people raised the fact that, in a murder case, the victim can't press charges. True.  But hardly unique! This also happens in many drug cases, prostitution cases and child/spousal abuse cases. However, it wasn't always so and it isn't so everywhere.  All the above is centered on the USA (although I believe many other countries are similar). Some states have, however, not even tried to prosecute criminals and others make only minor efforts to do so.  This failure may be due to the actual law or it may be due to lack of resources or it may be due to corruption. When this is the case, people take the law into their own hands.  Such places are always very violent.  E.g. the "wild west". I'd be interested to hear about how criminal cases work in other countries.

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