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Speak Up! - View Question #358 |
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Question: I am a witness, what can I say when I go to court?
Answer: You should answer the questions you are asked as honestly as you can. If you really can't remember something they ask you about, just say so but don't make up something just to sound good. If you lie under oath, that is a crime and you could end up in a lot of trouble.
Witnesses are like pieces of a puzzle. Each one has information to provide and after they have all testified, the judge and/or jury will have a clearer picture of what happened.
Our whole justice system is based on the concept that everyone must tell the truth in order for the judge and/or jury to figure out what happened and make the right decision.
If you are testifying in a criminal case and you were involved in committing a crime, you have the right not to admit that in court. It's called the right against self-incrimination, protected by the 5th amendment of the United States Constitution. If you find yourself in a situation where you might incriminate yourself, tell the judge you'd like to speak with a lawyer and the judge should appoint one for you.
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