i know someone who was 18 at the time, witnessed a crime, and reported it to police. the police are now intimadatingher and telling her she needs to come to court. she doesnt want to. and some of the police said its ok she doesnt need to, and so they made her sign a form, however a particular polic eofficer keeps forcing her to come to the court hearing and she doesnt want to and is saying if she doesnt come then she will either go to jail? or be forced by judge..
what are the rights of a witness, and what can she do..
Just did a quick google, because I THOUGHT police are NOT allowed to intimidate you, but I’m no specialist in the legal matters so looked on this website and as far as I can see…that is intimidation.
She should stand by her decision and make it clear that she will NOT act as a witnesss in court.
She can't go to jail for refusing to testify. It is possible that in extreme cases a judge can force her to testify, but that would only be done in cases of the most serious crimes (and if the offense was that bad the decent thing to do would be to testify).
Even if a judge forces her to testify, there is no legal punishment (such as fines or jail) for letting it come that far. SO if she really doesn't want to, then she doesnt' have to until a court (NOT the police!) orders her to do so.
^ Theres no way any Police officer has any right to intimidate...
I can speak with full confidence here that unless this person was the sole witness to a serious crime such as Murder or Rape then theres no way she can be forced to testify.
If however there was a serious crime and the said witness did not choose to testify then if the Judge deems that the whole case rests upon one testimony then obviosly the person can be compelled to attend court.
However theres no need for the Police to intidmidate. As a serving UK officer i am appalled to hear that this is happening... how high up is the intimidation?
If it's just an over zealous detective you can file a complaint directly to the case Superintendent. Or if you feel this runs deep within that forces institution then you can contact the independant police complaints commision. IPCC.
By the way what part of the UK is this force operating... some do say that the force in areas such as Sussex and Metropolitan London are Institiutionally racist and several inquiries have proven so...
At least i'm proud of the West Mercia constabulary who are among the best in the UK, and whom i find working is while nowhere near as easy everyone deffinatley does thier best.
