Getting involved in a court case?

[lgbr]

For several months recently I was the room mate of someone who was involved in a nasty child support legal battle. The guy I lived with was an awful human being who could very possibly be violent towards his child some day. I stayed out of his business and had nothing to do with his court case, his child, nor the woman he had the child with. Our living arrangement ended on bad terms (claims he will sue me for this and that, damaged my vehicles) and I've gotten him out of my life and almost have forgotten.

Yesterday I got a phone call from a paralegal representing the mother of his child. She was asking me to provide insight on life with the guy, and wants me to help the woman's court case.

I stand little to gain over this. If I do it all I get is the satisfaction of helping a child and a reimbursement for my time spent on this.

Is this something I should be involved in? Could there be any legal experience to gain from this?

[xagent]

Originally Posted by lgbr

The guy I lived with was an awful human being who could very possibly be violent towards his child some day. I stayed out of his business and had nothing to do with his court case, his child, nor the woman he had the child with. Our living arrangement ended on bad terms (claims he will sue me for this and that, damaged my vehicles) and I've gotten him out of my life and almost have forgotten.

This guy sounds like a class act. Follow your conscience, do what you think is right. If you have nothing to lose - like being fearful for your life if you think this guy will retaliate or put a hit out on you, go for it.

[domonbaylespam]

Yeah, do what you think is right. If you think you can help a kid out, and it feels like the proper thing to do, do it. If you think that everyone the guy has ever interfaced with will be glad to say the same about him, and your opinion is just icing on the cake, thats fine too.

[lgbr]

That was my thought, I could really do some good and I could stick it to this guy.

However, revenge like this does me no tangible good. Like I say, the only actual benefit I might see out of this is some legal experience (I've never set foot in any court room except for a traffic court). Other than that, it really feels like I'm just asking for trouble by going out of my way to cause him hardship.

I'm asking because I don't know what the implications are in getting involved in a court case. It's hard for me to weigh cost vs. benefit if I don't know what it's really going to cost me, or if there are any risks that I will be taking. He wouldn't retaliate physically since he's going to have a hard time finding me, but perhaps he could retaliate legally?

[domonbaylespam]

Nah, dont slander the guy, just state facts. Its not about revenge either, its about making sure he doesnt hurt the kid. The reason you should do it, is if you think this guy being around would lessen the kids quality of life through violence or abuse, stuff like that.

You're right, you have no stake in it whatsoever, so youd be doing a good deed if you felt (only you know this guy, none of us do) that youd be protecting someone from him. Its a judgement call.

[tmoney1876]

Originally Posted by lgbr

He wouldn't retaliate physically since he's going to have a hard time finding me, but perhaps he could retaliate legally?

If you don't lie, he has no real legal recourse. I mean, he could accuse you of slander, but if he is convicted, it would be a hard sell.

[demosh]

The words "moral obligation" come to mind. I'd go.

[yoda634]

I'd do it. Especially if being reimbursed for your time.

What do you stand to lose by doing it? Nothing, if you're not exactly friends with the guy.

What do you stand to lose by not doing it? Imagine how you'll feel when you find out that the guy beat the shit out of the kid and he's in the hospital. Imagine the face of the mother when she's just lost custody of her child to a dangerous man because no one would stand up against him.

I wouldn't lie and go out to make him out to be more of a piece of shit than he is, but I'd certainly answer all questions willingly and truthfully.