Retracting witness statement

Builderfromhell · 21-02-2011 11:00pm #1

Friend of mine was involved in an altercation at a party over Christmas. The Gardai were called and he and his friends made statements to the Gardai confirming that this person had assaulted them.

This matter is due in court soon and it appears the assailant will get prison time. My friend does not want this person to go to jail and wondered if they could retract their statements and thereby get the case dismissed.

detective · 22-02-2011 2:08am

It's not their statement to retract. Once you sign that statement it will always be there and technically becomes property of the DPP or in a summary case like this the Garda Siochana.

Your friend making a complaint of assault has already cost the state a pretty penny in taking up hours of Garda and court time. The very simplest of summary assault charges can cost the state up to €2,000.

So to answer your question in short... no.

Builderfromhell · 22-02-2011 11:12am

Thanks Detective.
Clear, concise and to the point. You should consider a legal career.

Retracting witness statement

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