Covina, CA asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI and Traffic Tickets for California

Q: So I was in a car with my friend and he was taking me home about 5 minutes after driving we.get pulled over

And the police told me.he had three warrants Can the courts subpoena me as a witness and or a bystander due to the fact that I was with him in the vehicle

2 Lawyer Answers
William C. Head
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Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Sandy Springs, GA

A: Yes. But, not sure they will, unless it has to do with a traffic offense he committed, in your presence.

Brian Scott Winkler agrees with this answer

Brian Scott Winkler
Brian Scott Winkler
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Shafter, CA

A: The short answer is yes, the likely answer is probably not, unless your presence is very important to establish the fact that he was driving. With three warrants, it may me based on whether or not the arresting officer knew him or had some prior contacts. If the car was pulled over in a period of 5 minutes, your friend would have likely driven in some erratic behavior for the stop, in which case your testimony would not be needed, or they were well aware of your friends warrants, and you were caught up in a bad place at a bad time! I do not forsee a subpoena coming to you based on the facts you presented!

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