Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

testing the competency of a wittness

I need to know the time frame and procedure to challenge a wittness for competency for a criminal trail. I know I must do it at the preliminary hearing, right? what are the giude lines and what book in the law library would I find it in, can you give me any case law that would help me research this. The cases are burg, rsp, compsarcy,and criminal enterprise. all the wittnesses were on drugs while giving statements to the grand jury. please help me with this problem, thanks


Asked on 5/25/05, 7:55 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Johns Mark Johns, Esquire

Re: testing the competency of a wittness

Criminal matters represent a threat to your personal liberty. No one should attempt to defend themselves against the kind of charges you stated you face. A witnesses competency boils down to can they understand and give the oath to tell the truth, can they narrate the testimony and were they competent to understand the events they are to testify to. I highly recommend you speak to an attorney as soon as possible. I offer free consultations.

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Answered on 5/25/05, 9:19 am


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