This stuff makes me nervous how about you?

[Gingersnap]

Tomorrow I will be going to court to testify in a abuse case. I am nervous as this will then make me a target for the unbalenced person's rage. I have to be honest and say I did not want to testify. My personal ethics and beliefs will not let me do otherwise. I wonder how you would chose if faced with the threat of violence. This is just pretrial jitters I know but I cannot ignore the possibility. Please let me know how you feel.

 

[Skitten]

I too would be quite nervous if faced with the similar situation. I guess it would be quite terrifying. Please have someone go with you for the trial and maybe ask about getting an order of protevtion so you can have some piece of mind. I hope that all goes well and try to stay postitve good luck.

 

[Naked Hunny]

:hugs: no matter what you decided just remember you made the decision that was right for you!!

 

[Gingersnap]

Thanks skitten and naked hunny it helps me feel better about doing this for my coworker.

 

[Bonnie Wee Lassie]

Your doing the right thing because you know it is the right thing to do in your heart. Be brave tommorrow and everything will be fine and know we are behind you 110%

Bonnie

 

[Dreamer1]

You know I would go with you if we were not so damn far away from each other! You also know I have pissed more than a few psychos off in my career. It is never easy but you are damn tough and you will be fine my friend!

[Edited by Dreamer1 on 08-09-2000 at 10:19 PM]

 

[RonG]

Hope this helps!

My oldest brother has spent almost 25 years working as a criminal defense attorney and I asked him about this once when faced with a similar issue. He explained to me that actually the safest thing to do is tell the truth in public court. The reasons

1) Having the information in your head with the perpetrator on the streets makes you more of a threat and a more likely target for retribution.

2) Retribution after the fact would be both clumsy and possibly enough to turn someone into a habitual offender and pick up real jail time.

Hence, these guys (I am being sexist, sorry) hope that they can create enough fear to scare you from doing the right thing. But think of telling the truth as a bit of an inoculation and you will be okay.

 

[Isabella Thorne]

I am sure you are doing the right thing, Ginger. Be brave .. I know it is scary. But you cannot do anything else .. you said so yourself.

Just as I would not be able to do anything else. I would not be able to sleep at night if I didn't do everything in my power to help the abuse victim. What I try to do when I get really scared about doing something is I imagine something I have done in the past that was really brave of me .. I am not going to tell you what it is or anything .. but I am sure you have something that you did before .. some action that you performed previously that you can draw power from.

Definitely bring somebody with you if you can. You are a brave ethical woman, Ginger, and the victim is fortunate to have you speaking for her tomorrow.

 

[teresafannin]

I think that you are showing a lot of courage to do this for your coworker. I like to think that I would do the same thing. Take care.

 

[Gingersnap]

Thank you everyone for your support. It means a lot to have your feedback. You are all so great!!!!

 

[Expertise]

Not everyone would do what you are about to. Its nice to know that you are one of those with enough moral fortitude and guts to do the right thing.

I have never had to testify but I have served on a jury in a murder trial where the family and nighbors of the accused made some pretty real sounding threats that rattled some of the members. I slept with a loaded shotgun under my bed for about six months in fact. But, threats and intimidation rarely manifest themselves in to reality so you shouldn't worry too much. Do the right thing and get this clown incarcerated or institutionalized. Its necessary and the right thing to do.

 

[*Eve*]

Way to go....

I know you feel nervous but this is the right thing to do. It's better that you testify against this person and have the possiblity of him being locked away for a long time as opposed to not testifying and letting this guy walk. You are doing everyone in this guy's life a favor.

 

[Isabella Thorne]

I hope everything went well for you today, Ginger dear.

 

[Lethal_beauty_27]

i would go through with the court case. what makes you think just becuase you dont destify that nothing would happen to you or anyone else. At least if it goes to court, the judge will realize that he has a problem and make him get help. You not destifing will only say to him look you got away with it......you scared me you won again.. Please be careful, take someone with you, even talk to someone who knows how dangerious that he is and let them know of your worries.
please let us know what you decide and what happened
Lethal

 

[Gingersnap]

Well I went to court and got up and told the truth. THe cross examination was brutal. I kept cool and so did my coworker. The judge decided that he was just a young man who didn't know his own strength. The personal order of protection was lifted and now the risk is even higher. This guy's attorney came up and shook my hand and told me his client had some guns. When I asked him why it the judge lifted it he said "you got me I thought we were dead in the water" Wish me luck guys this guy stopped in front of me on the way out and called me a fucking bitch. Cross your fingers. Thanks again for your support and kind words. It does mean a great deal.

 

[Isabella Thorne]

Ginger .. you walked into that court room with your head held high and your values intact .. you did what you had to do .. it is over now luv. I am sorry it was so brutal for you.

That judge has rocks for brains and we know it ..

Consider this though .. this bastard called you a fucking bitch because he figured it made him look better than you .. that is IMPOSSIBLE .. we know that too. the attorney told you his client had guns???? WTF!!!! What the hell kind of asshole is this lawyer anyway?? I am positive there will be no threat to you (especially because the order of protection was lifted) .. i will keep my fingers crossed for you because you asked .. but again dear please do not fret over this bastard .. that is what he wants. We can only hope that he will get his payback in time and that the victim will be safe.

You done good girl!

 

[Bonnie Wee Lassie]

Ginger I hope everything is ok. Have you gone to the cops. My prayers are with you.

Bonnie