Can you report an armed robbery then not testify?

Answer

Hi If you are a witness to something you can either report what you know anonymously (although don't call the cops from home, work, or even from a cell phone because they will be traced. Use a pay phone, report what you know, then hang up. Maybe what you tell them will help the cops, maybe not. If you decide to testify, the prosecutors and the courts will do whatever they have to do to protect your identity, but I believe most states have some law to the effect that the accused has the right to (literally) face the accuser. I would suggest you talk with an attorney, and if you can't afford one, most towns have a free legal clinic attended by civic-minded local attorneys where you might get some answers, so either check your phone book or call the biggest law firm around and ask if they know of a free legal clinic. Certainly, if you know something, and are the only one that knows it, and someone knows you know it, there will be some pressure on you to at least share it, although whether you can be actually FORCED to testify is unlikely. Phil

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