is it legal to release witness statements?
443968
It depends!! A couple of questions need to be asked.\n\n(a) are the witness statements provided as evidence for the prosecution? If so they are subject to disclosure to the defence; or are they witness statements for the defence??;\n\n(b) has there been consent by the witness for release of the statement? (i.e. if it is my witness statement and I want to send it to the press, that is my right);\n\n(c)The other clarification that is required, it released to whom? Are we talking about public release without consent or release to the defence with a prohibition on public release?; and \n\n(d) what jurisdiction are you in?? (i.e. the laws of release change in difference countries, states, provinces, etc).
1026888
Hearsay could be used as preliminary 'information' but by the time the attorneys finish with the one who 'heard', they've usually killed any credibility of the 'witness'.  And the police use LOTS of things not quite legal whenever they can.
592890
You haven't said what state you're in, and this might vary by state.\n\nBest advice: call the department who has the report you're interested in, and ask to speak to whoever is in charge of the Records section (or whatever they call it).  Tell them what you want, and ask them what the procedure is to obtain it.\n\nGenerally, a subpoena for the document would be needed to obtain it.  Even then, it's possible the department would challenge the release of the document, depending on what it contains and/or what you intend to use it for.\n\nConsulting with an attorney in your state is also a good idea, assuming you have the money to spare.
833860
I doubt there are transcripts like in a modern-day trial, but you can call the Courthouse and ask.  If they have a transcript or any information available about the trial, it should be a matter of public record and available to the public.  The only exception to that would be if the Judge ordered the information sealed, in which case you would need a Court-order to get the information.
141125
Under certain circumstances, the inavailability of the witness will make hearsay admissable.  However, some states have a doctrine that makes the words of the dead even harder to use as evidence.\n\nYou'd need more facts.
496025
It depends on the judge/justice of the peace/magistrate.  Legally, you are entitled to insist that you have a right to confront all witnesses against you and since the only witness who has any firsthand knowledge of what you allegedly did is not available, the case cannot proceed and must be dismissed.  But it is entirely possible that the judge/JOTP/magistrate either (1) doesn't care or (2) doesn't know what that means, and will let the hearing proceed as the judge, prosecutor, chief witness, and fact finder...to which you can object to, and his only response will be argue it on appeal.
693921
If it can be disclosed to the public then it can be talked about.  Even if it isn't "public information" there are many reasons why they would talk about case information with people that are not law enforcement.  You talk about being in school, are you even 18?  If you are not then I don't think you will be taking any officers to court.
511159
I found this information, but it was in regards to Tennessee. I would imagine that most states have a law likened to this one, which is based on the federal statue. I'm in Louisiana and know that as long as you are a party in the conversation, then it would be admissable.\n\nEvidentiary issues. Individuals and businesses that make surreptitious recordings often do so with the expectation that the recordings will be useful as evidence.  Under Tennessee law, an undisclosed recording you might make would be admissible into evidence so long as a court finds it relevant to issues at hand in the case, and it would also be admissible to show that a witness either lied on a particular point of testimony or made a prior inconsistent statement, or has a bias in the case.  The one requirement is that the "tape recordings (or) transcripts... (are) presented in evidence by (a) witness who was present during their recording or who monitored the conversations, if he was so situated and circumstanced that he was in a position to identify the declarant with certainty."  State v. Jones, 598 S.W.2d 209, 223 (Tenn. 1980).  Now, you can't admit a tape into testimony just to show that a witness is a lowlife, but there are generally a number of ways to get the tape into evidence, though they will require an attorney to know the right way to do so.
836206
Yes, reports are taken from minors all the time.  Remember though, false statements to a Peace officer is an arrestable\noffense.
361340
Not sure what jurisduction you are in but:\n\nYou can sign a confidentaility agreement which means you can not disclose what you subsiquently discuss or discover, unless ordered to do so by corectly consituted body (government, court etc).\n\nYou can not sign anything that would null local law.\n\nYou may also sign a non disclosure agreement, but same holds, if ordered by a court to disclose you will have to.\n\nCorecly written agreement will have this in, dont sign unless.
145997
No. You must inform them that they are being recorded. (Unless your name is Bush)
759957
I'm pretty sure you can't be a witness for your own deed... sort of defeats the purpose of having a witness!
308928
If it proves to be true, assuming we're talking about a reasonably short time-frame here, then you're probably okay.  It also depends on "how" you say what you say.  The facts are one thing, but if you selected a hurtful way of conveying the message, it could be viewed as an unjustified verbal assault - and depending on the circumstances, that could be actionable.
984580
Yes, you can take legal action for all of the above cases, but whether it is worth the time and effort rest in your hands. Btw, the media cannot release information relevant to a current trial or a case waiting for trial if the information released contains confidential evidences or information, such as the place of residence or name of witnesses who does not wish to be revealed.
908177
You have to testify if you get a subpoena; which is an official document issued by the Clerk of the Court.\nLetters do not count.
928391
Some politicians release their tax returns.  Other than that, it is illegal to give out information from tax returns.
1149525
I highly doubt it. One of the reverands primary duties is to act as an authoritative witness when the couple signs the papers.  You can't be a witness for yourself.