Witnesses are often called in both civil and criminal cases to testify about their knowledge of events related to the case. Why is the way the witnesses gained their knowledge important? How does it affect the interpretation of events presented to the jury?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Is this really math?

But anyways: the witnesses had different viewpoints, so they might have seen different things. One guy might see person A shoot person B, but another person who arrived earlier might have seen person B pull a knife on person A and try to stab him.

Are you starting to see why this is important?

anonymous · Answer

Yes! thanks but I have one more...
 the witnesses had different viewpoints, so they might have seen different things. One guy might see person A shoot person B, but another person who arrived earlier might have seen person B pull a knife on person A and try to stab him.

anonymous · Answer

Bill of Rights prevents someone from being tried twice in a criminal court for the same exact crime, also known as double jeopardy. However, someone can be tried in both civil and criminal court for the same alleged actions. Is this fair? Why or why not?