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Character witness

Smoothly

00:55 / 13.09.03

Possibly the dullest post ever, so although I'll be brief, skip it now if you hoped that it might be interesting.
I've got to be a character witness for a friend on trial for a serious charge he denies. I'll be cross examined by a prosecuting QC on its contents, and fearing that I could potentially make. things. worse. by screwing up I wonder if there is anyone with any insight who might be able to pass on something like classic dos and don'ts. I'm not expecting free legal advice, just hoping that someone will have more experience than me (ie. any experience at all), and be willing to share (by PM if you prefer, of course).

Jack Denfeld

01:02 / 13.09.03

Doesn't your friend have a lawyer? Shouldn't he prep you on this stuff? You've seen the tv shows, your friend's lawyer is supposed to make a fool of you, and then when you start crying he goes "The other lawyer won't be this nice." or something like that. Then he tells you the mistakes you made and what to expect.

Smoothly

01:10 / 13.09.03

Nail squarely hit on head, Jack.
Thing is the trial is underway and I have something of a last minute invitation to the party. I really don't know how much time I'm going to get from the defence QC. Perhaps some prep immediately before hand, but certainly not when it comes to writing the statement which they need by Monday. But yeah, the cross examination itself is a whole other thing.

Smoothly

01:15 / 13.09.03

Rereading my first post a little late, I realise I didn't make it clear that it's the witness statement which is the pressing issue. I'm told that I'll be questioned on the contents of that alone, so knowing that the prosecution have to sqeeze whatever leverage they can out of the words I write, I'm nervous about any school-boy errors I could make in that, and classic traps I might fall foul of.

Jack Denfeld

01:20 / 13.09.03

Just write up your letter, rough draft style, and maybe send it over to Grant. He's a journalist, he'd probably be able to find any holes in it.

bio k9

04:43 / 13.09.03

Or just send it to the fucking lawyer thats getting paid to defend your friend.

Jack Denfeld

04:51 / 13.09.03

You think that's wise? Wouldn't sending it to Grant be more reasonable? I'm sure his friend's lawyer might have a little bit of experience, but he's trying to defend him right now, and probably doesn't have time for trivial little things like making sure character witness statements for his client are in order.

bio k9

05:49 / 13.09.03

Maybe you should write it in your own blood. Or have me do it.

Jack Denfeld

06:39 / 13.09.03

Your Honor, here is the character witness statement. I don't know the accused at all. Well, it's Smooth Weaving's. Well, I sort of wrote it. You see, it's written in my blood, but the actual author is Bio k9. Well we all belong to this kinda hipster think tank if you will, and came up with this idea together.

ONLY NICE THINGS

07:19 / 13.09.03

Dude, that would be character witless...

Morlock - groupie for hire

07:55 / 13.09.03

It's the lawyers job to make sure every part of the evidence is in order. If he doesn't have time to review the statement he shouldn't be using it.
Either talk to the guy before you put anything to paper, or leave time to rewrite.

Smoothly

16:31 / 13.09.03

I fear that, perhaps, writing it in blood will carry the wrong subliminal associations. Not that I don't appreciate the offer Bio.
But thanks for your responses, particularly those of the PMers. I salute you all.

bio k9

21:37 / 13.09.03

Well, my offer to write the letter in your own blood stands. Think about it.

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