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Massachusetts

merrily

(45,251 posts)

5. Not face, but confront, witnesses. He also has a right to participate in his own defense.

Reply to mercuryblues (Reply #2)

Sat Aug 30, 2014, 05:43 AM

Aug 2014

Confronting witnesses is challenging them about what they are saying and doing on the stand.

If you watch some of the trials, defendants will often hear something a witness says, then grab a pad, write a note and pass the note to their lawyer. Because no matter how well the lawyer and defendant prep, the defendant is going to know stuff the lawyer doesn't. Staying home is a right, but you lose that. So, if you have to stay home to get a fair trial you are not getting a constitutionally fair trial at all.

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Massachusetts man fears his horns, ’666′ forehead tattoo will make a fair trial impossible [View all] unhappycamper Aug 2014 OP

How the hell can he have a fair trial? Hoppy Aug 2014 #1

Perhaps he should mercuryblues Aug 2014 #2

Not face, but confront, witnesses. He also has a right to participate in his own defense. merrily Aug 2014 #5

It's unlikely that any eye witness account will cause mistaken identity Demeter Aug 2014 #3

People might prejudge him on his appearance? elias7 Aug 2014 #4

Yes, people are continually judged on their appearance, even if the "judger" is merrily Aug 2014 #6