My wife was hit recently while driving, the other driver exchanged information and then left before the police showed up. Ends up he was driving on a suspended license and was later issued a citation.
Now my wife has a summons to appear as a witness at the “pre-trial.” My “I watched too much Law and Order” picture of pre-trial hearings doesn’t typically include witnesses, unless they’re there for dramatic effect. And I don’t anticipate my wife having to be restrained by the bailiffs.
Does anyone know what she should expect? I’m going to be out of town and she’ll need to get a babysitter… it’s going to be a big pain if she really needs to be there. Should we call the prosecutor’s office to see what’s up?
A pre-trial" may turn out to be nothing more than her in a room with a recorder and a lawyer from each side. Not a full hearing in front of a Judge, etc.
My WAG is that he’s denying he was present at the scene of the accident and they just want her to come down and testify that he was there.
Were the police at the accident or did it get reported to them later?
ETA, if that’s the case, I’d have her do it because if she doesn’t and the case is dropped (or he “wins”) his insurance company won’t pay for the damage to her car and it’ll be on yours.
Well don’t I feel like a moran. Ignorance fought, thank you!
The insurance issue has been settled already. Just as an update, she talked to the prosecutor and no longer needs to show up. He’s content that he has her contact information now and will call her if it goes to trial. Apparently his rationale was that they’re short staffed and it’s easier to subpoena people to come in and do nothing than track down a phone number.