OHTA.ca

I have never been inside a courtroom and have recently been summoned as a witness. My concern is my name being called out loud, I testify against the defendant, if convicted, they are obviously going to be very unhappy. In a general sense, what are people's professional or personal experiences with defendants retaliating against witnesses after the fact? IE. what is stopping the defendant from going home, looking up the witness, and retaliating against them because "they ruined their life".

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Jail.

You are required to appear if summoned and tell the truth about what you know. You might even be doing them a favor as your testimony might come to show possible inconsistencies in the case against them.

Is this a HTA matter or Criminal court matter?

Either way the law protects you... if you feel after testifying that your in danger call the police. after you leave court and the accused does anything its now under the Criminal code of Canada. Just as if you are summoned to appear in court your obligated to appear..