2007-01-07 06:36:02 · 5 answers · asked by wicked 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Lots of reasons, which are different depending on the specific circumstances.
-Being cross-examined by attorneys whose job is to present facts in the most beneficial way for their client. You may know what you are trying to communicate, but your words can be misinterpreted and twisted around. Most people are uncomfortable when their word, character, or expertise are called into question, yet this is exactly what happens when you are called to testify.
-Unfamiliar surroundings-strange jargon, rules, and so on. Court TV series aside, most people don't know what to expect at a hearing or trial.
-The fact that your testimony may have a huge effect on other people's lives. This is true in civil matters as well as criminal proceedings.
2007-01-07 07:05:31 · answer #1 · answered by ambr123 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It shouldn't! unless your afraid of them finding out about something. I guess it would also depend on what your testifying about, but for the most part it's simply answering questions about something you have specific knowlege about. I don't know
if this will make you feel any better about testifying but, if it's a question that could possibly cause you problems or get you into
trouble, you can always plead the 5th Amendment to the question. Taking the 5th Amendment means that you cannot answer the question because it might tend to incriminate you, and you CANNOT be forced to incriminate yourself on the stand.
If the Judge grants you " Qualified Immunity " then you have to testify and/or answer the question posed. ( Qualified Immunity is
" where the Judge, Prosecuter, and/or the State declines to file charges against you for any act or testimony that could somehow implicate you in whatever your testifying about")
I hope this helps! GOD BLESS/GOOD LUCK!
2007-01-07 16:41:54 · answer #2 · answered by Chuck-the-Duck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what it is for, it can be a scary experience. I once testified against the phone company to get women's names in the phone book. In the 70s, they used to charge women but not men to put their names. Our side won!
2007-01-07 14:49:34 · answer #3 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're put on the spot in a situation that will have a major effect on someone's life. I'd be stressed too!
2007-01-07 15:54:04 · answer #4 · answered by crank726 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
⥠BECAUSE ITS TOUGH TO TELL THE TRUTH AND REMBER AND UR WORRIED OF BEING PUNISHED OR SOMEONE ELSE GETTING PUNISHEDâ¥
2007-01-09 21:41:42 · answer #5 · answered by donielle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋