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Facing your abuser
The Supreme Court considers whether 911 calls or police reports can be used in court if a victim doesn't show up for questioning.
Sarah Elizabeth Richards [2006-03-21]

  • Wait a minute, Pyrian

    you weren't talking about a sworn deposition before--you were talking about tape recordings of 911 calls and written statements made to police officers. One big difference there is that you can't cross-examine a 911 call or a written statement. And are you saying that cops and DA's have never encouraged a witness to say the things that will help the prosecution's case?

    The two reasons usually given for the confrontation rule are first that it's important for the jury to be able to see and hear a witness first hand to judge if they're telling the truth. The second, as I explained above, is that you need cross-examination to bring out the whole truth.

    Do you disagree with either of these reasons?

    -- Deke
    [Read Deke's other letters]
    Tuesday, March 21, 2006 07:39 PM
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