Witness
If you are summoned as a witness to give a statement to the police or in court, it is advisable to contact a lawyer. As a witness, you are required to testify truthfully. However, you do have rights as a witness. For example, you do not have to give a statement that incriminates yourself. This means you are not obligated to provide a statement that puts you in a difficult position regarding a criminal offense. You are not required to answer such questions and can invoke your right to remain silent. If providing a witness statement could potentially incriminate you, you may even be entitled to legal aid (legal aid/pro bono) due to the potential consequences. Additionally, as a witness, you are not obligated to provide a statement about a family member if you choose not to. In this case as well, you can invoke your right to remain silent. However, you cannot simply refuse to attend the hearing; you must appear and explain why you are invoking your right to remain silent. Failure to attend may result in a court order to compel your attendance. Therefore, it is essential to contact us to discuss your options if you receive a summons for a witness interrogation.
Disclaimer
The texts on this website cannot be used as a basis for any legal rights. Additionally, these texts should not be considered as legal advice. For legal advice tailored to your specific situation, please contact the law firm.
