someone i know has been charged with assualt against another male, can the "victim" now refuse to testify???
2007-07-13 15:06:32 · 7 answers · asked by Nessa G 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Sure. Someone can always refuse to testify.
However, unless the witness has some specific legal privilege to do so (spousal privilege, attorney-client privilege, etc.) then they can be held in contempt of court, fined and possibly jailed.
In fact, many people have been jailed for refusing to testify. The most public examples are reporters who refuse to name their source for a story.
2007-07-13 15:57:17 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
victims do not press costs. District attorneys do. You signed a paper asserting better half and childrens violence got here approximately. so which you have already testified against him. i'm hoping they took pictures of your injuries, yet whether they did not, they have adequate to take it to trial. you is probably not fearful of him now, yet you certainly have been once you noted as the police, who're not noted as for elementary intoxication. in case you progression now, it will be seen an admission of his guilt, in basic terms as his working away became on the time of the incident. they are in a position to flow the warrant to anyplace you progression to, and it would be person-friendly to discover you. i don't choose you; I choose him. You had extra effective arise to actuality and understand that this guy has problems with alcohol. All that counseling will pass out the window the subsequent time he gets inebriated. so a procedures he's in basic terms your fiance. in case you marry him, you would be putting your destiny toddlers at risk besides as your self. He has crossed a line and would not have the skill to pass back. via the way, have you ever completed a historic past verify on him to verify if he has a criminal checklist of the form of habit?
2016-10-21 05:12:58 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you are subpoenaed to court, you have to testify or else you can be arrested or given some sort of fine. The only exception is that husbands and wives don't have to testify against each other.
2007-07-13 15:11:40 · answer #3 · answered by thefuturemrscena 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They can, but if there's other evidence, such as sworn statements, or "excited utterances" that can survive Hearsay objections, or photographs, the perp can be convicted anyway.
2007-07-13 15:39:37 · answer #4 · answered by open4one 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
nope. only spouses cannot be forced to testify against each other.
2007-07-13 15:14:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
take the 5th
2007-07-13 15:16:29 · answer #6 · answered by Gypsy Gal 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i dunno, but i think that might be considered withholding information. But I think the 5th amendment protects you.
2007-07-14 04:36:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋