i was a witness to a fight which eventually turned into the muder in the neighbourhood where i lived i came forward with what i saw i was relocated in the witness protection program then i was told i would have to sign out because my husband isn't legal in the country anyways now im being told that i will have to testify i don't want to but i also don't want to go to jail i have 2 small children. I was trying to do the right thing but now i feel like the system is letting me down i have to get up in court to testify in front of these guys cause they have the right to see who is testifing against them but i don't have the right to shield my face because i don;t want to be known to them. is there anything i can do like not testifying and not breaking the law where i don't have to go to jail?
2007-08-11 16:30:47 · 14 answers · asked by 187 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
My husband is filed for him to be in the country legally all the paperwork just hasn't come through as yet. All that takes time And while i thank those for replying to my question i ask that u not pass judgement. And we live in Canada and the U.S
2007-08-11 17:12:20 · update #1
You can lie under oath and you could go to jail instead of the person you saw kill someone
2007-08-11 16:36:57 · answer #1 · answered by 1st Buzie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You were witness to a crime. You were being protected; however your own breaking of the law has knocked you out of the WPP.
You can testify or you can go to jail for contempt.
So you're a parent, have an illegal alien for a husband and spend time with people that fight to the death.. Well, gee... I am not quite sure why you would want to continue to make stupid decisions.. Testify..
I wish you well!
2007-08-11 23:42:05 · answer #2 · answered by 343 Remember 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even if you testify your life is going to be over if you are not in the witness protection program. You need to get some legal advice. The legal system isn't about truth or honesty. It is all about twisting the laws to your own advantage. So get independent advice. It may work out to be safer for you to be in contempt of court than risk your whole family being killed by you testifying.
2007-08-11 23:44:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have reason to fear for your life if you testify talk to the prosecution. They can have you testify before the court and they can hide your identity. They can either have testify behind a blind, if permissible on video tape with your image pixellated.
If they really want to get justice for the victim, they should do whatever is necessary to protect you from retribution. If they are not willing to do so, then you have every right to refuse on the grounds that you are risking your life if you testify.
2007-08-11 23:43:23 · answer #4 · answered by Kainoa 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You either show up to testify, or risk being cited for contempt of court (and possibly worse) if you refuse to testify.
Sadly, that's the only way the system works. People must testify if the facts are to come to light.
2007-08-11 23:37:25 · answer #5 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Testifying is your best bet, but you have to make sure that you are protected if you do. Discuss it with your lawyer/public defender, make it known that you want a guarantee that you and your children will be safe. Also, although your husband may be deported due to alien issues, if your children were born in the united states, you legally have the right to stay with them here till their eighteen.
2007-08-11 23:41:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the state can get a court order and force you to testify. if you still refuse you can be placed in jail for contempt of court.retired texas deputy sheriff
2007-08-12 00:58:57 · answer #7 · answered by charlsyeh 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to testify,you have only you to blame for marrying a illegal.After you testify why don't you move to your husbands country,I doubt the murders will follow you there after they get out of prison.
2007-08-11 23:46:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you dont have to do anything you dont want to do. if you testify, it could put them away for life, but if you dont they may go free. either way, they should put you back into the witness protection program. it was wrong of them to take you out of it. as a taxpaying, law-abiding citizen, even though you're husband is not, being witness to a crime makes you eligible for protection, and by taking it away they were not protecting you. i would threaten to sue, or sue, if you feel strong enough about it. let them know that you know your rights, and you won't back down. you have 2 small children to think about, and it is their right to protection to
2007-08-11 23:38:21 · answer #9 · answered by Evie 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are going to testify. I didn't say have too, but I said going to. You have no choice in the matter.
Secondly, how does a fight turn into murder. I thought it would be manslaughter. Unless of course you know something that you failed to mention.
2007-08-11 23:42:57 · answer #10 · answered by Tinman12 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋