I am curious. What would happen if when asked to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, I said no, what would happen? I have asked every lawyer I ever came in contact with and they didn't know. I am ready to do this just to find out.
2006-08-27 16:16:02 · 9 answers · asked by ltlwzl 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Contempt of court is when the court orders to you do something (or not do something) and you disobey the order.
If you were a voluntary witness, there is generally no requirement that you testify. That changes if you are subpoena'd or held on a "material witness" warrant.
In those cases, the court can usually order you to testify under oath, and can hold you in contempt if your do not. Also, in certain circumstances, refusing to testify in a criminal case can result in a charge of hindering prosecution, if the district attorney wants to push the issue.
If you don't have a strong and valid legal reason not to testify, it's better not to play games with the court. Judges can get testy.
2006-08-27 18:02:14 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple:
If you refuse to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth", then in theory, the judge COULD choose to hold you in contempt, but what I reckon would happen is he'd just tell you to go sit back down; as you would not be a reliable witness if you're not going to tell the truth.
2006-08-27 16:30:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lawyer would not put you on the stand if you would do this. You would never get the chance to say no. You would be of no use to any party that wanted to use your testimony.
If you did get on the stand and managed to say this, you would be dismissed by the judge, if the lawyer does not beat him to it.
It is NOT contempt of court, but you will be dismissed.
2006-08-27 17:04:40 · answer #3 · answered by Christopher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a lawyer but logically it seems to me that yes, it would be contempt. You are summoned to testify and are refusing to do so. I suppose you could plead the 5th if your testimony could get you in trouble. You can't be compelled to say anything that will incriminate you.
2006-08-27 16:40:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that in that case you would then be asked to step down as your statements could not be used in court. If you were supined as a witness to something and you had to make a statement under oath and refused then depending on the judge you could wither be held in contempt or simply not allowed to enter statements.
2006-08-27 16:20:53 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The court would be pissed that you wasted their time. If the judge is in a bad mood, you could be charged with a felony.
2006-08-27 16:22:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It would be similar to taking the 5th. Nothing you said would be used.
2006-08-27 19:16:01 · answer #7 · answered by Greg P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nonsence - I can assure you that you would be in contempt of court as you would be in breach of your summons.
2006-08-27 16:23:58 · answer #8 · answered by Lord_Cheese 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
then your safe,
you don't have to cooperate, but you can't lie
2006-08-27 16:20:44 · answer #9 · answered by sikn_shadow_420 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋