Why is it important to tell the truth?
3 things you need to remember
- Listen carefully to the questions and make sure you understand them.
- Answer the questions as clearly as you can.
- Most importantly – tell the truth.
Telling the truth is the most important thing a witness has to do. The magistrates, or the judge and jury, need to know what you remember seeing or hearing. The lawyers who are asking you questions need to make sure you are telling the truth. There are a number of different ways in which their questions may check this.
- Lawyers may suggest answers to their own questions. Do not agree with any suggestions unless it is true. Never agree just to please that person.
- Some questions might suggest that what you say at court is different from what you told the police. Don’t worry, just tell the truth.
- You may be asked a question that you have already answered. This does not mean that your first answer was wrong. Just answer again.
- Don’t be angry or hurt if a question suggests that you are not telling the truth. Remember it is the lawyers’ job to “test” what you have to say to help the court understand what happened.