Goin' To Court

“Goin' to court to speak as a witness, nurvous. Anything I should know? Tips? This is to help a neighbor and her kids out in a custody/visitation issue.”

“Anything I should know?

The butler did it.”

“uhoh, I hope the opposing council hasn't seen any of your TT posts ;)”

“Ha! silly hyway, I've been very good lately.”

“If you're telling the truth, then that's all you need to know. If not, then there's probably some related stuff you might want to try to remember.”

“I'll be telling the truth---from stuff i saw. Since you have to be under oath, I'm not goin' to lie!”

“Goin' to court to speak as a witness, nurvous. Anything I should know? - spirit coyote

Yes, you should know it's spelled "nervous".”

“Then you're good to go! :)”

“Just like on your medical reports only talk about what you saw, not what you think. Good luck.”

“If you're lying, don't move around. Keep your hands still. Don't touch your face. Don't smile. Don't tell jokes. Look the person asking the questions in the eyes. Don't sweat. Don't be nervous. Don't let your body temperature rise. Don't let your pupils over dialate. Keep your blood pressure steady. Don't change the pitch of your voice. Don't clear your throat. Don't blink a lot. Answer all questions. Keep your stories straight, and simple. Don't automatically agree with all assumptions the interogator makes without thinking them through.

If you're telling the truth, I can't help you.”

“Stick to a very factual basis. Say what you saw and heard. Don't over interpret or editorialize. Your credibility will be better if you speak objectively and if you are testifying against someone, you are less likely to have the person you are testifying against hold a major grudge.”

“gee sarge, you are so helpful :)”

“Moonglo and Pedxing have some good advice.

I will add is don't get rattled if the other sides lawyer asks you questions in a manner to clearing idicate to all that he thinks you are the biggest liar in the world. The Judge is used to attorneys doing that kind of stuff, and it doesn't matter one bit to the Judge. But if you sass the attorney back in retaliation, then the Judge will think less of your testimony no matter how well deserved your sassing back was.

Also, dress like you are going to church. show some respect for the Court.

Don't volunteer anything. Just answer the questions.”

“Also, dress like you are going to church. show some respect for the Court.

now see, i have to disagree with this...the more skin the better, and that's not just for court but a general rule in all manners of life”

“I agree! [swinging pants around in the air over my head]”

“Also, dress like you are going to church. show some respect for the Court.

Then there are those of us who would dress better for going to court than for going to church. My judgment in church has already been proclaimed. My testimony is court has yet to be judged.
last edited: 4/08/08 7:25:52 AM”

“Short pants wearin' sinner!”

“keep in mind that kids lives are being affected by what you are doing.

make sure you know the person very well - is what you saw enhanced at all by that person's version of the story?”

“twig, i know them very well and I feel bad about this whole situation. the truth though is that the father should not be left unsupervised with his child. he's a sick man suffuring from alcoholisem and PTSD. He needs help but will not get it. The mother had to get a restraining order against him. I watched him throw a computer at his one year old from accross the living room of their house, and then cut him self in front of all three kids. he's a ok guy when he's not drunk, but those times are few and far between anymore. its really sad. He keeps threatening to take the baby and my girl friend is scared to death he will.”

“I feel bad about this whole situation. the truth though is that the father should not be left unsupervised with his child.

like pros said, i'd leave stuff like this out and just stick to the facts.

stuff like this:

I watched him throw a computer at his one year old from accross the living room of their house, and then cut him self in front of all three kids. ”

“just the facts mame



you need to watch some dragnet shows.”

“Answer the question that is asked and _only_ the question that is asked. No more, no less. Just the facts. ma'am. Just the facts.”

“guzzle a bottle of rum before you go”

“If a person's guilt or innocence relied on testimony from spirt-coyote might just as well put the cuffs on.”

“might just as well put the cuffs on.bacpac

You'd like that, wouldn't you?”

“I had a nieghbor with a similar situation. I just wrote a letter and had it notarized.”

“Good luck, Spirit.

Doug”