Here are Free Witness Statement Templates in MS Word format to help you prepare your legal witness statement effectively. You can also look into these Sworn Statement Templates to see more choices.
In simple words, a witness statement is a written or recorded statement of a person who witnessed something unusual i.e. a crime, a violation, or something else. Most of the time, a legal agent presents witness statements as a document with the witness’s signature. But there are many cases in which recorded versions in tapes were also presented in the court from the witness as a statement.
Brief description of Witness Statement:
When a person is accused of a crime, he has the legal obligation to hire an attorney. It helps to present himself in court to plead not guilty and to ask the judge to drop the charges against him. But it’s not that simple, the opposite lawyer also convinces the judge and jury that the accuser had committed the crime. Hence he deserved the punishment. Now the judge or the members of the jury can’t decide who is telling the truth and who is lying. So to make sure, the court asks for witnesses to investigate the case further.
A piece of evidence could be in favor or against the accused person depending on who is presenting it. For example, if the defendant presents the evidence, it means it’s in favor of his client. However, if the other lawyer presents it, it’s against the accused. In the same manner, witnesses are called to the court to testify in favor or against the accused person. A witness can be the person present at the crime scene during its course of action. It’s up to the witness what kind of statement he gives. More than evidence, witness statements are more important as verdicts usually depend upon these witnesses.
Difference between a Witness Statement and an Affidavit:
Usually, people don’t understand the difference between these two titles, a witness statement, and an affidavit, and most of the time; they assume both are the names of the same thing. In reality, there is a big difference between these two titles and I can try to explain it in very simple words for your understanding. A witness statement can be a verbal or written statement presented by the attorney from the person who is either present in the court or not whereas on the other hand, an affidavit is a sworn statement only by the person who is present in the court and has taken the oath to only speak the truth.
Witness statements are very common in low-profile or regular cases i.e. parking violations, signal violations, or burglary where the affidavit is pretty serious stuff and it is common in high-profile cases i.e. theft incidents, murder, or a matter against the government. Another difference between these two titles is that the person doesn’t need to present himself in court while providing a witness statement. The prosecutor doesn’t need to question him directly. While on the other hand, while giving an affidavit, the witness has to be presented in court. He needs to take the oath in front of the judge and jury. The court let the prosecutor question him about his testimony.
Download Witness Statement Templates
Here is a preview of the Free Witness Statement Template using MS Word to assist you.
