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coroners inquest
Hi, I hope someone can help with this..
Last year an ex partner of mine started harrassing me and was arrested by police on several occassions, he continued to stalk me and even tried to break into my home..(i have kids at home and this not only effected me but that of my kids) Lots of events unfolded and in the end he took his own life... Since this all happened i am under the dr for anxiety and life hasnt yet got back to normal.. Last night i had visit from police to say i have to attend court for the inquest.. I simply cant face the thought of raking all this up again and facing his family. Is there anyway i can give evidence in private away from family or if i have to go at all. They have loads of statements over the period of harassment,, would this not be enough? I feel sick at the thought of having to go so any help regarding this would be muchly appreciated.
Many thanks
Last year an ex partner of mine started harrassing me and was arrested by police on several occassions, he continued to stalk me and even tried to break into my home..(i have kids at home and this not only effected me but that of my kids) Lots of events unfolded and in the end he took his own life... Since this all happened i am under the dr for anxiety and life hasnt yet got back to normal.. Last night i had visit from police to say i have to attend court for the inquest.. I simply cant face the thought of raking all this up again and facing his family. Is there anyway i can give evidence in private away from family or if i have to go at all. They have loads of statements over the period of harassment,, would this not be enough? I feel sick at the thought of having to go so any help regarding this would be muchly appreciated.
Many thanks
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Ive looked at a few web sites and some say yes i do have to attend but others say i may not at the discretion of the coroner..
I know the best thing to do is to go and get it over with but im just a bag of nerves and feeling constantly sick to the stomach at the thought of it. :(
Ive looked at a few web sites and some say yes i do have to attend but others say i may not at the discretion of the coroner..
I know the best thing to do is to go and get it over with but im just a bag of nerves and feeling constantly sick to the stomach at the thought of it. :(
I think you have made a wise decision to attend and to answer your question the coroner does have the power to summon you to the inquest.
Hopefully you will not find your attendance to distressing, from what you say I very much doubt there will be a jury (there are circumstances where a jury is compulsory), it is quite informal, there are no strict rules of evidence, the coroner will ask questions of the witness and then interested parties may be given the opportunity to question the witness if they wish. As has been said it is not a trial, no one should be threatened in any way and you should not feel you or anyone else is on trial.
Hopefully you will not find your attendance to distressing, from what you say I very much doubt there will be a jury (there are circumstances where a jury is compulsory), it is quite informal, there are no strict rules of evidence, the coroner will ask questions of the witness and then interested parties may be given the opportunity to question the witness if they wish. As has been said it is not a trial, no one should be threatened in any way and you should not feel you or anyone else is on trial.
Not a nice thing to be going through.
I've been to one or two inquests over the years and they're not like court. The last one, which was a couple of years ago, was just the coroner and the witnesses sitting round a table with a few officials. The question and answer bit was done more as a chat as anything else, and I don't think anybody even had to swear an oath.
Coroners know what people are going through and try very hard to put people at their ease before they even start their evidence. It will be easier than you think.
Good luck
I've been to one or two inquests over the years and they're not like court. The last one, which was a couple of years ago, was just the coroner and the witnesses sitting round a table with a few officials. The question and answer bit was done more as a chat as anything else, and I don't think anybody even had to swear an oath.
Coroners know what people are going through and try very hard to put people at their ease before they even start their evidence. It will be easier than you think.
Good luck
Bedknobs advice is good - the Coroners Officer, (a Police Officer) will explain all you wish to know and advise you of all the possible alternatives. It is possible they will accept written evidence but may ask you to be on hand should questions arise.
Let him/her know how you feel and I'm sure they will do their best to help you.
Let him/her know how you feel and I'm sure they will do their best to help you.