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Paul40 · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 19 Location: East Sussex

In August I was first to the scene of a head-on car crash. Sadly one of the victims died in hospital as a result of an injury. I gave a very detailed statement to the police and heard no more. I had a call on Friday last week saying I would be needed at the Coroners Court early next year and was asked if I had any problems attending. I said I do, as I will be starting a 14 week basic training course with the Fire Brigade In January. This seemed to fall on deaf ears.
My question is - Do I have a legal obligation to attend or can I try to explain to the court the importance of me not missing any of the training I will be going through. I can say or add no more than was given on the Police statement.
Thanks in advance
Paul

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4680 Location: Bath

Love the use of the word "victim" its makes it sound deliberate.

I can't answer your question expertly, but from my time on jury service I think its a must turn up, on the other hand the fire brigade can't stop you attending, or penalize you for attending.

Visit the CAB website they will tell you.

scruff

AlanE · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2003 9:44 am Post subject:

Paul if you have been instructed to attend court then you must attend otherwise you probably run the risk of being charged with contempt of court with the possible result of you then having a 'criminal record'.

Having spent some 20 odd years in Essex Fire & Rescue, before being medically retired, and having compleated the basic training course I can assure you that missing a odd day here or there will be of no consequence.

Unless of course those missed days coincide with any exams or tests. If this would have been the case in this instance then, because you would have received prior warning of the dates of your impending court appearence, the fire brigade would change the test dates. Within the fire brigade these dates etc are not set in stone and unless you are, and pardon the expression please, compleatly thick you will have no problem passing their tests. Just make up, note wise, any thing missed. A lot of the work is repetition and irelevant once you leave training school. I can still remember diameter of wheels on a roof ladder!!

Good luck in fire service and I trust you will enjoy it.

Alan