Directions to: U.S.

Courthouse & Since most people are not familiar with courtrooms and court proceedings, we in the United
States Attorneys Office would like to give you some general information about preparing
U.S. Attorneys Office/Grand Jury for court and some suggestions about testifying.

We hope this information will answer any questions you may have and make you more
comfortable about the entire process.

What If The Defendants Attorney Or Investigator

Asks To Talk To Me?

You have the right to decide whether you want to discuss the case with any attorney or
investigator for either the United States or the defense. Be sure you know who you are
talking to when you discuss the case. Dont be afraid to ask for identification. If you
decide to speak about the case, tell the truth.

What Will Happen If I Fail To Appear?

If you fail to appear, you may be cited for contempt of court. An arrest warrant could be
issued.

Where Do I Go?

Your subpoena will indicate where, when, and in what room the proceedings will take
place. However, as the court date approaches, you will be contacted by the Assistant U.S.
Attorney, Victim-Witness Coordinator, or case agent as to the exact date and time you will
be needed. *Please note: at the majority of court proceedings witnesses are not allowed to
enter the courtroom until they are called upon to testify. Therefore, it is important that you
be directly outside the courtroom or waiting in the witness waiting room next to the
courtroom.

Where Can I Park?

There is a parking ramp located next to the courthouse. Parking should not exceed $6.00
for an entire day. You will be reimbursed for this expense. There is also short term
metered parking on the streets around the courthouse. However, we recommend you park
in the parking ramp, if available, due to the fact that we WILL NOT reimburse you for any
parking tickets you may receive.

How Long Will I Be In Court?
It is impossible to predict how long witnesses will testify at trial. It is important that you
arrange your schedule to permit maximum flexibility. You may have to wait to testify for
several hours or more. You may want to bring reading materials, or something else to
occupy your time, while you wait to testify.
Remember to arrive at the courthouse at the designated
time so that you will have a chance to talk about the trial
with the attorney and/or investigator.
Please let us know of any change in your address or
telephone number so we can reach you and save you a trip
if the court date or time is changed for any reason.

What Should I Do With My Children?

Try to find a relative, friend, or neighbor to care for your children. However, you should
make sure that he/she has a flexible schedule, due to the fact that you dont know when you
will be released from your subpoena. In some instances, child care expenses are
reimbursed. If you have questions concerning this, please feel free to contact the Victim-
Witness Coordinator.

Will I Have To Bring Anything With Me?

If you need to bring anything as evidence, you will be instructed to do so in the subpoena.

Is Food Available?

While there are soda, coffee, and snack machines located on the first floor of the
courthouse, there is no cafeteria. However, there are several restaurants located quite close
to the courthouse. You will need to bring money for meals, since reimbursement will be
sent to you at a later date.

Where Are The Pay Phones and Bathrooms?

1st floor - bathrooms and pay phones

2nd floor - bathrooms and pay phones
3rd floor - bathrooms and pay phones
4th floor - bathrooms

14. The court reporter must be able to hear all your answers, so please dont nod your
head for a yes or no answer. Speak loudly and clearly. Also, you will sound
best if you dont use words like yah, nope, and uh-huh.
15. When you answer a question, you may find it easiest to simply look at the person
who asked you the question. Use the same tone and effort when answering
questions from both sides.
16. Do not exaggerate. Dont make overly broad statements that you may have to
correct. Be particularly careful in responding to a question that begins, Wouldnt
you agree that. . . ?. The explanation should be in your own words. Do not
allow an attorney to put words in your mouth.
17. Listen carefully to the questions you are asked. Make sure you understand the
question, have it repeated if necessary, then give your answer.
18. If your answer was not correctly stated, correct it immediately. If your answer
was not clear, clarify it immediately. It is better to correct a mistake yourself than
to have the attorney discover an error in your testimony. If you realize you have
answered incorrectly, say, May I correct something I said earlier?
19. Sometimes, witnesses give inconsistent testimony -- something they said before
doesnt agree with something they said later. If this happens to you, dont get
flustered. Just explain honestly why you were mistaken. The jury, like the rest
of us, understands that people make honest mistakes.
20. Sometimes an attorney may ask if you have talked to anybody about the case. It
is perfectly proper for you to have talked to people before you testified, and you
should, of course, respond truthfully to this question.
21. After you have completed testifying, you should not tell other witnesses what was
said during your testimony until after the case is completed. Thus, do not ask
other witnesses about their testimony and do not volunteer information about your
own. Once you have been formally excused as a witness, you are free to go.
Remember to fill out the witness voucher with the Victim-Witness Coordinator
so you may be reimbursed.
Will I Be Paid For My Time Spent As A Witness?
If you are not a federal government employee, you will receive________for each day
you are required to be in court or attend a pretrial interview, including travel days. YOU
WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR LOST WAGES! You will be reimbursed
________ cents per mile for transportation if you drive. If you incur parking, tolls, or
taxi expenses, a receipt is required for reimbursement. You will receive a meal allowance
of ________per day of travel and________on full days. IF YOU TRAVEL TO COURT
AND RETURN HOME THE SAME DAY, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A MEAL
ALLOWANCE. To fill out the Fact Witness Voucher for reimbursement you must
check-in with the Victim-Witness Coordinator.
You will receive payment by mail usually within 10 working days.
What If I Am Threatened By The Defendant Or Others?
Threatening a witness is a separate federal crime. Accordingly, it happens much less than
you would think. In emergency situations call the police immediately. In other instances,
contact the Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the case, the Victim-Witness
Coordinator, or the case agent.
What About My Employer?
Many witnesses question how to approach their employer about their absence from work
during their testimony. If requested, we will contact your employer and outline your
responsibility as a subpoenaed federal witness. Employers may not retaliate against you
because of your absence.
Where Can I Go If I Have Questions Or Need Help?
The Victim-Witness Coordinator will be glad to help in any way possible. If you have
any problems or questions, please feel free to contact her at the following toll free number:
1-888-415-9821.
 Tips For Testifying
1. A neat and clean appearance is very important for court. You should be
comfortable, yet appropriately dressed for court (i.e., no hats, shorts, etc.).
Avoid distracting mannerisms such as chewing gum.
2. Jurors who are, or will be, sitting on the case in which you are a witness may be
present in the same public areas as you. For that reason, you should not discuss
the case with anyone. Remember, too, that jurors may have the opportunity to
observe how you act outside of the courtroom. If you see a juror you are not
allowed to speak to the juror, even to say hello.
3. When you are called to testify, you will first be sworn in. When you take the
oath, pay attention to the clerk, and say I do clearly.
4. When a witness gives testimony, he/she is first asked some questions by the
lawyer calling him or her to the stand; in your case, this is an Assistant United
States Attorney. This is called the direct examination. Then, the witness is
questioned by the opposing lawyer (the defense counsel) in cross examination.
(Sometimes the process is repeated two or three times to help clear up any
confusion.) The basic purpose of direct examination is for you to tell the judge
and jury what you know about the case. The basic purpose of cross-examination
is to explore the accuracy of your testimony. Dont get mad if you feel you are
being doubted in cross examination. DO NOT LOSE YOUR TEMPER. An
angry or impolite witness will probably not be believed. Always be polite and
courteous.
5. OBJECTION is a legal term that means one of the attorneys feels you are being
asked an improper kind of question. When you hear a lawyer say objection,
simply stop speaking and wait for the judge to rule on the objection. If the judge
decides the question is proper, he/she will OVERRULE the objection. If the
judge decides the question is not proper, he/she will SUSTAIN the objection.
You will be told either by the judge or the attorney whether to answer that
question or another question.
Whenever you are asked a question, listen to the whole question before you start
to answer. Make sure you understand the question and then give your answer.
6. A SIDEBAR is when the judge and the parties meet at the judges bench to
discuss various matters, including technical disputes over the Federal Rules of
Evidence. They meet at the judges bench so the jury cannot hear their
discussion.
7. Before you testify, try to picture the scene, the objects there, the distances, and
exactly what happened so that you can recall the facts more accurately when you
are asked. If the question is about distances or time, and if your answer is only
an estimate, be sure you say it is only an estimate. Beware of suggestions by
attorneys as to distances or times when you do not recall the actual time or
distance. Do not agree with their estimate unless you independently arrive at the
same estimate.
8. Speak in your own words. Dont try to memorize what you are going to say.
Doing so will make your testimony sound rehearsed and unconvincing. Instead,
be yourself, and prior to trial go over in your own mind those matters about
which you will be questioned.
9. Most important of all, you are sworn to TELL THE TRUTH. Tell it. Every
true fact should be readily admitted. Do not stop to figure out whether your
answer will help or hurt either side. As a witness you are expected to be an
impartial spokesperson for the facts as you know them.
10. Try to answer questions by stating what you saw or heard. You should not give
an opinion unless you are asked to do so. You should not say what somebody
else saw or heard unless you are asked.
11. Give positive, definite answers when at all possible. Avoid saying, I think, I
believe, or In my opinion, if you can be positive. If you do know, say so.
Dont make up an answer. Be positive about things which you remember. If you
are asked about details which you do not remember, simply say you dont
remember.
12. You should answer only the questions asked and not volunteer information.
13. Unless you are sure, dont say thats all of the conversation, or nothing else
happened. Instead, say thats all I recall, or thats all I remember
happening. It is possible that after more thought or another question, you will
remember something important.
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE COMING TO COURT
U.S. Department of Justice
ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEYS NAME:

(608)264-5158
Toll Free #: 1-888-415-9821

VICTIM-WITNESS COORDINATORS NAME:

(608)264-5158
Toll Free #: 1-888-415-9821
Cell #: (608)215-9500

AGENTS NAME:

United States Attorney

Western District of Wisconsin
Phone Number:

United States Attorneys Office  West Washington Avenue

Western District of Wisconsin
222 W. Washington Avenue, Suite 700
Madison, WI 53703
Suite 
Madison, WI 53703
(608)264-5158
Victim-Witness Coordinator
250-5465 or Toll Free at 1(888)415-9821