Idiocy of the Police

[SalvationNeeded123]

So the police stated that I shouldn't talk to a certain few witnesses, the majority of them being my friends, having given statements because they were at the party where the complaint stems from.

It is INEVITABLE that me and those people will rub shoulders. We share the same circle of friends, hang out spots, etc.

How the heck am I supposed to cope?! Just stay cooped up in my house?!

Ultra frustrated today, as you may be able to tell!

[Rights Fighter]

I don't know if you read other threads. If you do you will know that the police often play this trick, especially when friends can help with material evidence. The police will also do this to isolate the def so when/if it comes to trial, it looks (to the jury) as though the def has no support.

Give the contact details of the friends to the solicitor, and put in writing how they can assist with the defence. That way, if you are charged he can interview and take a statement from them.

Also, it is "unreasonable" for the police to tell you that you cannot speak with your friends at all. The rule/condition should be that you should simply not discuss the case.

Ask the OIC to put what he told you in writing, and then tell him that you believe that their "rule" that you should have absolutely no contact with your friends is "unreasonable" and that you will take legal advice about this. You can say of course that you understand that the case must not be discussed.

[SalvationNeeded123]

Thank you for this Rights Fighter. Your name so aptly suits you - a truly human one. I WILL fight for my right to salvage my friendships that I dearly value.

I'll contact the OIC and my solicitor tomorrow and will give you an update should anything I don't understand come up.

Thank you again.

[SalvationNeeded123]

I don't know if you read other threads. If you do you will know that the police often play this trick, especially when friends can help with material evidence. The police will also do this to isolate the def so when/if it comes to trial, it looks (to the jury) as though the def has no support.

Give the contact details of the friends to the solicitor, and put in writing how they can assist with the defence. That way, if you are charged he can interview and take a statement from them.

Also, it is "unreasonable" for the police to tell you that you cannot speak with your friends at all. The rule/condition should be that you should simply not discuss the case.

Ask the OIC to put what he told you in writing, and then tell him that you believe that their "rule" that you should have absolutely no contact with your friends is "unreasonable" and that you will take legal advice about this. You can say of course that you understand that the case must not be discussed.

Also, just to clarify, this is a bail condition set by the police station. Am I still within my right to argue against the condition?

[Rights Fighter]

Ask your solicitor. The bail conditions should include that you do not speak with pros witnesses or discuss the case with def witnesses.

[Lilyput]

Ours is a similar situation some friends crashed at DPs after they went out drinking eleven years ago, FA slept there too and the other three agree nothing happened and DP slept nowhere near FA, however OIC said they were unwilling to give statements. A chance meeting DP found this was untrue, I think the police want to get rid of defense witnesses as then it would be one person's word against another's and easier to convict. If you see them by chance I'd talk to them but no contact over fb or text etc just in case it looks like your trying to get them to back up your story. If you get charged make sure sol gets statements off them good luck!

[Rights Fighter]

Ours is a similar situation some friends crashed at DPs after they went out drinking eleven years ago, FA slept there too and the other three agree nothing happened and DP slept nowhere near FA, however OIC said they were unwilling to give statements. A chance meeting DP found this was untrue, I think the police want to get rid of defense witnesses as then it would be one person's word against another's and easier to convict. If you see them by chance I'd talk to them but no contact over fb or text etc just in case it looks like your trying to get them to back up your story. If you get charged make sure sol gets statements off them good luck!

If you do happen to bump into any of the people who could become material witnesses, obviously you cannot just ignore them, as that would be rude and they may not understand why.

However, you could make the point that "at the moment the police have told me that I cannot speak with you at all. I am going to get that clarified by my solicitor but in the meantime we should not and must not talk about the case".

In case you have been seen talking (if you do), make sure that you inform the police via your solicitor. That way they cannot accuse you of breaching your bail conditions and it will also demonstrate that you are taking legal advice, because it seems "unreasonable" that you should avoid friends and neighbours especially if there is an agreement in place that the allegations will not be discussed.

[Lilyput]

Sorry didn't realize it was part of your bail conditions thought they just advised it. That seems overly harsh, I really dislike the police right now they really seem to be manipulating the case in favour of people's FAs.

[Rights Fighter]

Bail conditions usually involved potential pros witnesses not defence witnesses. I should check that first

[Narrow Door]

Unreal!

It is absolutely unreal how police can ban you from seeing friends during a time like this! Have you managed to speak to your sol or OIC to get this worked out at all?

ND