Legal Question in Criminal Law in Maryland

Taking the stand as a witness when you're the defendant

I have a trial in 3 weeks in which I've been charged with a 1st and 2nd degree assualt along with false imprisonment. I am a convicted felon of a theft from 3 years ago along with I have (3) misdemeanor charges on my record of 2nd degree assualt, possession of cds and telephone misuse on my record from 10 years ago. Should I take the stand or not due to my past? And if so, what things should I be aware of and prepared for?


Asked on 1/06/09, 3:45 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gladys Weatherspoon Law Office of Gladys Weatherspoon

Re: Taking the stand as a witness when you're the defendant

Where is your lawyer? Are you saying you're going to trial without a lawyer? I personally don't like putting clients on the stand, even when they don't have convictions, because all the client is going to say is I didn't do it and the risk is too great. Now, adding these convictions to it, I would do all I could to keep my client off the stand.

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Answered on 1/06/09, 6:48 am


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