Advice From a Police Officer
 

I know Scoobynet as a few Police Officers, I was just after some advice, it's got nothing to with driving or cars. Just some advice about what to do if i witnessed something.

Nobody likes a grass

Tell me what your problem is sonny..... does this involve witnessing a revenge attack against a rabbit killer?

Haha no its nothing like its basically i was a witness to something, when i was drunk gave a statement but i can't remember what i said in my statement and been asked to go court, i was wondering if i can just ignore it or anyway i can retract my statement

You can retract it at any time..........

Can you not ask to see the copy off your original statement ??

I'm suprised you were expected to give a statement while intoxicated!

I would imagine that your statement would be thrown out if said case went to court.

I'm suprised you were expected to give a statement while intoxicated!

I would imagine that your statement would be thrown out if said case went to court.

We heard you the first time...lay off the wine.... :D

That's just it it's going to court. It was me and a couple of mates and we had two statements taken one when i was drunk and the next morning when I was hung over, still drunk.

Lol!

I'm that tired, one glass of wine would send me straight to sleep!

Any copper going to court will have memorized his statement. Ask for a copy from the officer who took it, they will understand when you say why you want one.
Astraboy.

Ok thanks for all the replies. think i need to speak to the witness person then

if you dont turn up at court you might get arrested for contempt of court happened to my ex wife last month made me laugh she got a night in the cells then held in contempt until the new court date

If you fail to turn up, the court can instruct the police to fetch you and deliver you to court. If you tell the police you don't want to attend, you could be treated as a hostile witness.

The best thing to do is contact the officer who took your statement and ask to give a further statement. It is unlikely your original statement will just be disregarded, however the further statement will give you the chance to explain your drunkenness. If you do remember and are having doubts, or being intimidated, let the officer and witness care know. The sooner you do this, the sooner it can go to the CPS to be considered.

Can't you just show up in court and tell them you were pissed and can't remember what you said?
I think they generally prefer the truth - or maybe that has changed.

That's why you provide a further statement - it's fair to everyone (prosecution and defence) and you are unlikely to have a pissed off senior officer wanting to have a word with you regarding wasting police time.

Unless you're the victim of a crime and witnesses are unwilling to provide evidence to Police to bring about a prosecution.
Thinking about it, the whole judicial system in the UK is based on people being "grasses".
Good job that so many people are willing to carry the stigma of being a "grass" to bring offenders to justice rather than hide behind the easy excuse of not wanting to be a "grass".:thumb: :thumb:

lol, fair point Bob. :thumb:

I am not a lawyer, but this is my understanding: you cannot retract a statement. However, you can testify against it, or refuse to back it up, if put in the witness box. You can also write a further statement which is different to the original. If you are called to court, you can refuse to go and you MAY just be let off at that point. However, if they really want you, the court can serve a Witness Order against you. If you fail to attend after that then you are in contempt, and can be jailed for up to thirty days without appeal. However, once it looked like you were going to be a useless witness, odds are you'd be dropped. But then so might the charges.


M

In Scotland, as a witness you are summoned to court, which basically means ordered. Ignore it and there will be a warrant out for your arrest the day later.I suspect the same applies in England and Wales?

A very good friend of mine done exactly this and the bas*ards that the police are (Most of the time) arrested him at his home at 08:00 on a friday morning. This meant he was in custody the rest of Friday, all day saturday, all day sunday and half of monday and then straight upto Court. The police must have a laugh and a joke with each other every friday morning to see how many lives they can bugger up as its the worst possible time to be arrested, even more so, if the Monday is a bank holiday as it then goes onto Tuesday.

You have to sign for the summons so there's no excuse of non delivery. Generally the police will hand deliver it if its an important case.

Dont even think about ignoring it, I've been in a police cell and it drove me nuts, I was only in there 18hrs. I would rather be locked in a prison cell than a police cell, never ever again, it was horrid, especially nursing a hangover.

Your statement should start, or have something like "Although I am drunk as I have consumed x amount of alcohol I am able to say that the following took place"

At court you'll get given your statement to read over to remind you what happened.
It's pointless you turning up 9 months after something that may have happened briefly in the middle of the night. You can talk things through with the prosecutor before you're called.

If you want anymore advice PM me

What happens when you are in a Police cell? Are you given anything to do? The thought of being locked in somewhere for any length of time without a book, phone, something makes me shudder.

Nothing to do. Just a thin foam mattress and toilet. Thats it

http://www.manysmileys.com/files/N/z...gO63473883.gif

TX ;)

You're entitled to a copy of the Codes of Practice. I used to let the non horrible people have a paper if there were any lying around and they asked for one.

Well he either shot the guy or he didn't. Surely you can remember that even if p,issed?

:)

"Let 'im 'ave it!" ;)