My boyfriend has been charged with wounding with intent and pleaded not guilty?

he pleaded guilty to a lesser wounding charge under section 20. he now has a date set in crown court for the 1st of july. i am a witness for the prosecution due to being there before the attack, i never saw the actual attack. i have tried to retract my statement and have now been told iam still to be a witness. why is he answering to two pleas and why am i still being asked to be a witness. being a witness affects me as i have social services involved and it will totally look bad for me, without going into detail. as i wasnt there how can i stop this??? by the way the victim had 8 stiches, bruising and was allowed out of hospital the same afternoon

by the way iam meant to be a witness for the prosecution. surely my eveince although the truth will be seen as biased? iam really stressing out and still havent heard back from CID or the witness support. i really dont want to be a witness unless there is a way from making the details not public

This makes no sense. If he pleaded guilty there would not be a trial and therefore no prosecution witnesses. You need to check the facts of the case before you both get screwed. You can do like the politicians do, say "I don't recall".

If you were there *before* the attack, you may still be considered a witness under certain definitions if they apply to you and the situation, even if you weren't physically there to be an eye-witness, per say. If you had personal knowledge of the attack before it began, then you would still be considered a witness. If not, then ask them (i.e., the judge) what the various definitions of a "witness" would be according to law in the court.

"A witness is someone who has firsthand knowledge about a crime or dramatic event through their senses (e.g. seeing, hearing, smelling, touching) and can help certify important considerations to the crime or event. A witness who has seen the event firsthand is known as an eye-witness." ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witness

"4: one who has personal knowledge of something"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionar...

Do you have *any first-hand knowledge* about the event? If you knew about the attack prior to it happening, then yes, you are a witness. Otherwise, you are not if you knew nothing about it.

Regardless, as you say you did not witness the attack, then you must stick to the absolute truth when in court. You are not an eye-witness. Your presentation (your bearing, how you dress and how you speak is also critical.) Refrain from using slang and wear proper attire so no one will judge you based off of their preconceived notions (prejudices).

I recently watched a documentary in my Psychology class last Friday (5/30). A psychology experiment featured people in a jury who judged two men (actors) who were charged with a crime. The man who was considered less physically attractive (as far as his hair and dress were concerned) by the jury was perceived as "guilty", and the other man who many jury members believed looked more presentable was voted as "innocent". This psychological experiment proved that *overwhelmingly* people tend to gravitate toward individuals who they perceive as more presentable or attractive--and identify them either as good or bad subconsciously.

If your boyfriend pleads guilty at Crown Court when the charges are put before him several things happen.

1. He gets a discount on sentence for pleading guilty at the first opportunity.
2. The jury gets dismissed with a thank you from the judge.
3. Any witnesses are sent home without being called, including you.

The reason discount is given for an immediate guilty plea is that it saves the Crown the expense of having the trial and all the people involved including you from having to go through it. If he pleads guilty you wont be called but you still need to attend that day in case he changes his mind.

If hes pleading guilty to a lesser charge the I assume the cops are still charging him with the original charge or it wouldnt be going to crown court, maybe they will change their minds before the court date, but if they dont then you have to turn up or they will send the cops round to fetch you, just tell the truth when you are on the stand, what happens after that is out of your hands, there isnt much you can do about it to be honest, and the social services, what ever you have them involved for, wont worry about you bieng a court witness, its not like you have been charged with anything, its not your fault your boyfriend is a moron, but if I were you I would get rid of him, if he goes around wounding people hes not much good to you or your life.

It is quite normal for a defendant to be answering two or more charges however he pleads to any of them. Even if he were pleading guilty to just one charge that does not mean there would be no trial or witnesses giving statements, the judge needs to know the facts to decide the sentence.

Although you were not witness to the actual attack, you saw him just before and will be asked about that - his state of mind, what he said, where he was going etc. etc.

I believe you could decline to testify but if the prosecution think your testimony important enough they could insist you give evidence or be charged with, umm, not obstruction or perjury but somesuch that escapes my mind for the moment.

Best go along to the Citizen's Advice Bureau and just tell them the whole story. They'll put you in the picture and give you advice and it's free! See the link to find your local office.

At the end of the day just tell the truth the Jury will decide if your boyfriend has anything to answer for.

If you have lied to the police then you could be in trouble as well.

The prosecution WILL try to catch you out as it is their job. Just think of this though what would he or she look like naked or on the loo. You see under all the theatrics of court they are just the same as you or I.

If your boyfriend did commit this crime then I am sorry but he should get everything he deserves and is he right person for you. If he has done this now just think what he may do in the future..

There is help to be found. There should be a church near you... go seek coverage. And if the owner of that church seems to be a fake, then chalenge him/her.

Churches should re-opened 24/7 - because our governments are becoming quite incompetent with helping young people in despair and trouble like your good-self.

Lobby that all churches should reinstate their Christian knowledge and human wealth and beliefs to society and not the greed some are are drowning in... so they allow the church to become discontinued in its service.

These places have been built by strong loving men - hoping that these places will protect you from the angry, unloved and evil minds that make you miserable.