does the police need to have to charge you?
Can they charge you if there is only one witness & nothing else?
2007-05-30 10:03:50 · 7 answers · asked by The-she 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Jessica, I have been asked the question by a friend & i don't know thats why i'm asking!
2007-05-30 10:19:08 · update #1
The answer is as follows (assuming you are in the UK):
The police do not charge people. They investigate an allegation of crime and (supposedly) gather evidence and then pass the file to the CPS, with a recommedation.
The CPS then decide whether or not to charge and if so, with what.
The test applied by the CPS is whether there is, on the balance of probabilities, a realistic prospect of a conviction. There is therefore no set or measured amount of evidence required, as long as the evidence meets the threshold for the test.
The second part of your question is that the number of witnesses is almost irrelevant. Most people charged with murder have no witnesses, it's all forensic (remember Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman?).
One 'good' witness might meet the threshold test, three 'bad' witnesses might not. [I mean good and bad in terms of the quality of their evidence, not their character].
I hope this helps.
.
2007-05-30 19:09:20 · answer #1 · answered by JZD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You only need one reliable witness and irrefutable evidence nothing else would be required of the police. Anyone can be charged with a crime, it's getting a conviction that is the hard part and with a good lawyer even the witness could be discredited. Good luck to your friend. I charge a reasonable fee...lol
2007-05-31 02:19:16 · answer #2 · answered by Dr Paul D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's agreed that the police...need only one witness. It's also up to the court to decide the reliability and credibility of the witness and, of course, the suspect. The court will consider all the circumstances and base its decision upon all the facts based upon a preponderance of evidence!
2007-05-30 17:10:30 · answer #3 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
British Police have become so weighed down with administration and procedural rules that you might find they will have you hung for washing clothes on a Sunday while a group of arsonists were burning your house down with your family in it.
There has always been a 'acting suspiciously' reason for stopping you though to my knowledge its never been defined.
Give them a break. Britain is now a place where teachers are afraid to put a band aid on a kids grazed knee for fear of being sued by the parents for possible medical misconduct. (They take the kid home.....2 adults in the car which has to specially insured for the purpose)
Just be a good citizen and you might get away with 5 years in prison.
2007-05-30 17:14:47 · answer #4 · answered by philip_jones2003 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you only need one witness, hope it all works out, all the best
2007-05-30 17:22:21 · answer #5 · answered by sarah1962 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One reliable witness is enough.
2007-05-30 17:06:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
what do u think?
2007-05-30 17:16:40 · answer #7 · answered by jessica w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋