Witnesses and testimonial evidence are a fundamental part of a court case. The admissibility of any testimony is dependent on it being material, relevant, and competent.
Yet, despite the rigidity of bureaucratic state settings, interactions between witnesses and documenters offer witnesses some creative 심부름센터 leeway in their testimonies. These interactions index and critique both the omnipresent state bureaucracy and HR politics.
Identifying Potential Witnesses
In many criminal investigations, investigators have the duty to interview witnesses. The witness may be a victim of an offence or someone who was present at the scene of a crime and can provide testimony regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident. Witnesses can also be corroborative, providing information that supports the evidence collected by the investigator.
When a witness is called to give evidence in court, it is important that they do so truthfully and accurately. This is a vital part of the justice system in which we live, and witnesses play a significant role in the decision-making process for both civil and criminal trials.
Witnesses must be free from bias and must be able to provide evidence in an unbiased manner. This is important because witnesses can be influenced by different factors, such as personal relationships or social status. For example, if one witness is dominating another, the less dominant witness may change their testimony or even omit observations to conform to what the dominant witness states.
It is also important that witnesses are not influenced by a reward for their information. Often, such a reward is deemed to be an inducement to provide false information, so the investigator should not highlight any rewards to potential witnesses. Lastly, it is important that any witness has access to an interpreter if required to do so under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act (opens external website in new tab) or Section 10 Charter (opens external website in new tab). This ensures that they can understand the questions they are asked and communicate their responses.
Preparing for Testimony
It is important to prepare witnesses thoroughly for their testimony, whether it is a deposition or trial. Generally, this means sharing with them your case themes and helping them understand the context for the evidence they will be asked to review. It is also important to share with them the types of questions that will be asked in their direct and cross-examination and to help them prepare for those questions. This is particularly important for lay witnesses who may not be used to the process.
During the preparation session it is important to remind the witness that their primary responsibility is to be truthful. They should not assume that it is their role to have scripted answers or persuade the jury to believe a particular point of view.
They should be reminded to be aware of their appearance and demeanor. Often times a witness’s demeanor and physical presence can have a significant influence on the jury. For example, a witness who is nervous or tries to convey an image of being unreliable can have a disastrous impact on the verdict.
It is helpful to have a paralegal or second attorney attend the preparation session with the witness in order to assess their ability to communicate effectively in the courtroom and any verbal and physical mannerisms that can be distracting.
During Testimony
For most witnesses, testifying in court is a new experience. The setting, the audience and the questions can all be overwhelming. As such, it is important to take your time when answering each question and to speak clearly. The judge and jury need to hear you so that they can understand your answers and make a wise decision in the case.
Your attorney will prepare you for your testimony by discussing the questions ahead of time. He or she will also help you recall all the relevant information that relates to the case. For example, many times your attorney will ask you about treatment that occurred years ago. No one expects you to remember such treatment off the top of your head so it is helpful for you to bring copies of your patient’s records.
During cross-examination, opposing attorneys may try to get you upset or angry in order to make you slip up and say something that could hurt your client’s case. It is best to remain calm and focused, as the jury and judge will respect you more for it.
It is not unusual for witnesses to become confused when responding to questions, especially during cross-examination. This is why it is so important to carefully review all your answers before you are called to the stand. If you do not fully understand the question, be sure to let the questioner know and have the question rephrased.