I got subpoenaed, anybody been a victim witness?

[FirstLight]

This is from when my ex tried to kill me back in October. She strangled me two nights in a row so they did pop her for two felonies with added bodily harm. It's finally going to trial on April 25th and they subpoenaed me. I've never testified before I'm not scared but I'm worried that I might say the wrong thing or I don't know I'm just nervous I guess.... I want to make sure that Justice is served.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I guess the summons is from the prosecutor. I would think their

office will contact you first to go over your testimony.

[MotownPgh]

15. Yes this is exactly what will happen

[LoisB]

2. Just tell the truth and don't let her defense attorney rattle you.

[Hekate]

3. First: all the best of luck. Second: do you have legal counsel for yourself?

You need someone to talk to, mainly (I think) about how best to present yourself.

Beyond that, I do not know.

[FirstLight]

8. I don't have counsel for the criminal case I have my divorce lawyer

I can definitely reach out to her and see if she's got any suggestions as well. She actually was the attorney for the women's domestic violence center up here so she knows the ins and outs of that side of the law.

[Ms. Toad]

4. The prosecutor should walk you through everything ahead of time.

Ideally, they will practice your testimony ahead of time.

Focus on answering what they ask - and only what they ask. Especially when you are being questioned by your ex's attorney.

Good luck.

[FirstLight]

5. I eas summoned by email...no response yet

I think I'm going to go ahead and call their office tomorrow. The victim witness advocate has well over 600 cases cuz she's the only one in this area. So I don't know how much they're planning on actually talking to me or helping me through this I think they just want me to show up. I'm having my daughter come with me for moral support and I'm going to also call the domestic violence women's center tomorrow and see if I can talk to them about testifying as well ....

[FirstLight]

7. The big part about having my daughter there is that she tried to cancel my whole family

So we definitely want to show up in solidarity showing her that she didn't break us.

[SheltieLover]

11. Good for you!

[SheltieLover]

10. Excellent plans!

Take your time answering questions posed to collect your thoughts, esp when defense attorney attempts to rattle you.

As you are waiting fo testify, do deep breathing. It opens up carotid arteries & supplies ~30% more blood/oxygen to your brain.

Let us know what they tell you pls?

Best of luck to you!

[CanonRay]

6. Keep your answers short and on point.

Dont offer anything extra.

[Meowmee]

9. The prosecutor should go over your testimony in advance

And hopefully do a practice run with someone asking you various questions and tell you what to expect and what to say etc.

[rickyhall]

12. I've been robbed 5 times and never saw a trial. The perps didn't go to jail. This is America.

[mucholderthandirt]

13. Definitely discuss with your divorce attorney. She will have gone through this many times.

Others have given good advice (stay calm, think through the answer, don't offer anything extra and so on). Good luck and hopes for the very best outcome, and peace for you and your family.

[ProfessorGAC]

14. I've Been A Witness Several Times

Expert witness in large civil cases, not criminal, but the side that is calling you (presumably the prosecution) almost certainly will provide coaching & some practice for cross-examination.
Lawyers don't want to put an unprepared witness on the stand.
Even with experience, lawyers wanted to do practice cross questions with me.
I would be shocked if you don't get some good direction prior to your testimony date.

[FirstLight]

16. Kick for the daytime crew... called the DA office

spoke to the clerk and she is also following up with the victim witness gal to help me prep. I emailed my divorce lawyer this morning too...

Ironically, I just had the courage to walk into the sheriff's office last week to request a copy of the police report. I'd been too fragile feeing to handle it before now. I am really ready to put this behind me and close the door on that chapter of my LIFE!

(and revisiting this event also reminds me how LUCKY I am to BE here right now, she almost killed me! I needed that wake up call to handle all the prceeding trauma in my life that leads me to abuseive relationships, and that was a deep dark hole of family stuff I had to therapize...but it has gotten me HERE. and I am gladly going to be grateful to be alive!)