What is the standard way to address written statements presented as evidence in a civil case?

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1















A friend of mine is suing someone. I (and others) witnessed all of the violations that are claimed, but I'm unable to attend the hearing in person for various reasons (mainly that I've moved out of state).



I'm writing a statement for my friend to present in the case, and wasn't sure how to address it. My plan was to use



To Whom It May Concern


or



To All Interested Parties:


or



To the court


or



Dear <Judge's Name>,


or



Your honor, complainants, respondents, and witnesses:


But I don't know that any of these are considered appropriate. Most likely I will choose the first.



What is the standard form of address in written statements to be presented during civil proceedings? Also, who is actually being addressed here?










share|improve this question




























    1















    A friend of mine is suing someone. I (and others) witnessed all of the violations that are claimed, but I'm unable to attend the hearing in person for various reasons (mainly that I've moved out of state).



    I'm writing a statement for my friend to present in the case, and wasn't sure how to address it. My plan was to use



    To Whom It May Concern


    or



    To All Interested Parties:


    or



    To the court


    or



    Dear <Judge's Name>,


    or



    Your honor, complainants, respondents, and witnesses:


    But I don't know that any of these are considered appropriate. Most likely I will choose the first.



    What is the standard form of address in written statements to be presented during civil proceedings? Also, who is actually being addressed here?










    share|improve this question


























      1












      1








      1








      A friend of mine is suing someone. I (and others) witnessed all of the violations that are claimed, but I'm unable to attend the hearing in person for various reasons (mainly that I've moved out of state).



      I'm writing a statement for my friend to present in the case, and wasn't sure how to address it. My plan was to use



      To Whom It May Concern


      or



      To All Interested Parties:


      or



      To the court


      or



      Dear <Judge's Name>,


      or



      Your honor, complainants, respondents, and witnesses:


      But I don't know that any of these are considered appropriate. Most likely I will choose the first.



      What is the standard form of address in written statements to be presented during civil proceedings? Also, who is actually being addressed here?










      share|improve this question
















      A friend of mine is suing someone. I (and others) witnessed all of the violations that are claimed, but I'm unable to attend the hearing in person for various reasons (mainly that I've moved out of state).



      I'm writing a statement for my friend to present in the case, and wasn't sure how to address it. My plan was to use



      To Whom It May Concern


      or



      To All Interested Parties:


      or



      To the court


      or



      Dear <Judge's Name>,


      or



      Your honor, complainants, respondents, and witnesses:


      But I don't know that any of these are considered appropriate. Most likely I will choose the first.



      What is the standard form of address in written statements to be presented during civil proceedings? Also, who is actually being addressed here?







      united-states california civil-procedure






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













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      edited Feb 27 at 22:22







      Hugo

















      asked Feb 27 at 22:09









      HugoHugo

      1063




      1063




















          2 Answers
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          As the answer by Iñaki Viggers says, you should submit an affidavit, not simply a letter to the court. An unsworn letter will probably not be admissible at all.



          It is common for a witness to tell his or her story to the lawyer for the side that wishes to use the affidavit, and for the lawyer to then draft the actual affidavit in such a way that it will be acceptable to the court where it will be used. Then the lawyer sends it to the affiant (the person who would be a witness if s/he came to court, who is making the affidavit) with instructions. Generally an affidavit must be notarized or otherwise sworn to in front of an appropriate official.



          However, a person can draft his or her own affidavit. It is usual for it to be headed with the name and case number of the case where it will be used. It should include a statement that everything in it is true, and that the affiant swears (or affirms) this under penalty of perjury. It should include only relevant facts that the affiant has personally witnessed, not anything heard from anyone else, or guessed at or deduced.



          The facts should be stated clearly and simply.



          The affidavit should be signed in the presence of a notary, who will witness the signature and the oath that the contents are true.



          This WikiHow page describes the process in detail, with a template form.






          share|improve this answer






























            2















            How should I address a statement to be presented as evidence in a civil case?




            The way of addressing the readers is irrelevant. What matters is that the statements your affidavit (which is what you really should produce) be concise and unequivocal so that it is not discarded for purposes of fact-finding.



            Your affidavit will (or at least it should) be read by the judge, the jury, all parties/lawyers in the case, and (if the ruling of the case is appealed) judges in upper courts. Witnesses and other non-parties are also likely to read your testimony. In fact, you can only expect the defendant(s) through counsel(s) will dispute your credibility in their attempt to impeach/strike your testimony.






            share|improve this answer






















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              2 Answers
              2






              active

              oldest

              votes








              2 Answers
              2






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes









              3














              As the answer by Iñaki Viggers says, you should submit an affidavit, not simply a letter to the court. An unsworn letter will probably not be admissible at all.



              It is common for a witness to tell his or her story to the lawyer for the side that wishes to use the affidavit, and for the lawyer to then draft the actual affidavit in such a way that it will be acceptable to the court where it will be used. Then the lawyer sends it to the affiant (the person who would be a witness if s/he came to court, who is making the affidavit) with instructions. Generally an affidavit must be notarized or otherwise sworn to in front of an appropriate official.



              However, a person can draft his or her own affidavit. It is usual for it to be headed with the name and case number of the case where it will be used. It should include a statement that everything in it is true, and that the affiant swears (or affirms) this under penalty of perjury. It should include only relevant facts that the affiant has personally witnessed, not anything heard from anyone else, or guessed at or deduced.



              The facts should be stated clearly and simply.



              The affidavit should be signed in the presence of a notary, who will witness the signature and the oath that the contents are true.



              This WikiHow page describes the process in detail, with a template form.






              share|improve this answer



























                3














                As the answer by Iñaki Viggers says, you should submit an affidavit, not simply a letter to the court. An unsworn letter will probably not be admissible at all.



                It is common for a witness to tell his or her story to the lawyer for the side that wishes to use the affidavit, and for the lawyer to then draft the actual affidavit in such a way that it will be acceptable to the court where it will be used. Then the lawyer sends it to the affiant (the person who would be a witness if s/he came to court, who is making the affidavit) with instructions. Generally an affidavit must be notarized or otherwise sworn to in front of an appropriate official.



                However, a person can draft his or her own affidavit. It is usual for it to be headed with the name and case number of the case where it will be used. It should include a statement that everything in it is true, and that the affiant swears (or affirms) this under penalty of perjury. It should include only relevant facts that the affiant has personally witnessed, not anything heard from anyone else, or guessed at or deduced.



                The facts should be stated clearly and simply.



                The affidavit should be signed in the presence of a notary, who will witness the signature and the oath that the contents are true.



                This WikiHow page describes the process in detail, with a template form.






                share|improve this answer

























                  3












                  3








                  3







                  As the answer by Iñaki Viggers says, you should submit an affidavit, not simply a letter to the court. An unsworn letter will probably not be admissible at all.



                  It is common for a witness to tell his or her story to the lawyer for the side that wishes to use the affidavit, and for the lawyer to then draft the actual affidavit in such a way that it will be acceptable to the court where it will be used. Then the lawyer sends it to the affiant (the person who would be a witness if s/he came to court, who is making the affidavit) with instructions. Generally an affidavit must be notarized or otherwise sworn to in front of an appropriate official.



                  However, a person can draft his or her own affidavit. It is usual for it to be headed with the name and case number of the case where it will be used. It should include a statement that everything in it is true, and that the affiant swears (or affirms) this under penalty of perjury. It should include only relevant facts that the affiant has personally witnessed, not anything heard from anyone else, or guessed at or deduced.



                  The facts should be stated clearly and simply.



                  The affidavit should be signed in the presence of a notary, who will witness the signature and the oath that the contents are true.



                  This WikiHow page describes the process in detail, with a template form.






                  share|improve this answer













                  As the answer by Iñaki Viggers says, you should submit an affidavit, not simply a letter to the court. An unsworn letter will probably not be admissible at all.



                  It is common for a witness to tell his or her story to the lawyer for the side that wishes to use the affidavit, and for the lawyer to then draft the actual affidavit in such a way that it will be acceptable to the court where it will be used. Then the lawyer sends it to the affiant (the person who would be a witness if s/he came to court, who is making the affidavit) with instructions. Generally an affidavit must be notarized or otherwise sworn to in front of an appropriate official.



                  However, a person can draft his or her own affidavit. It is usual for it to be headed with the name and case number of the case where it will be used. It should include a statement that everything in it is true, and that the affiant swears (or affirms) this under penalty of perjury. It should include only relevant facts that the affiant has personally witnessed, not anything heard from anyone else, or guessed at or deduced.



                  The facts should be stated clearly and simply.



                  The affidavit should be signed in the presence of a notary, who will witness the signature and the oath that the contents are true.



                  This WikiHow page describes the process in detail, with a template form.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Feb 27 at 23:24









                  David SiegelDavid Siegel

                  14.8k3159




                  14.8k3159





















                      2















                      How should I address a statement to be presented as evidence in a civil case?




                      The way of addressing the readers is irrelevant. What matters is that the statements your affidavit (which is what you really should produce) be concise and unequivocal so that it is not discarded for purposes of fact-finding.



                      Your affidavit will (or at least it should) be read by the judge, the jury, all parties/lawyers in the case, and (if the ruling of the case is appealed) judges in upper courts. Witnesses and other non-parties are also likely to read your testimony. In fact, you can only expect the defendant(s) through counsel(s) will dispute your credibility in their attempt to impeach/strike your testimony.






                      share|improve this answer



























                        2















                        How should I address a statement to be presented as evidence in a civil case?




                        The way of addressing the readers is irrelevant. What matters is that the statements your affidavit (which is what you really should produce) be concise and unequivocal so that it is not discarded for purposes of fact-finding.



                        Your affidavit will (or at least it should) be read by the judge, the jury, all parties/lawyers in the case, and (if the ruling of the case is appealed) judges in upper courts. Witnesses and other non-parties are also likely to read your testimony. In fact, you can only expect the defendant(s) through counsel(s) will dispute your credibility in their attempt to impeach/strike your testimony.






                        share|improve this answer

























                          2












                          2








                          2








                          How should I address a statement to be presented as evidence in a civil case?




                          The way of addressing the readers is irrelevant. What matters is that the statements your affidavit (which is what you really should produce) be concise and unequivocal so that it is not discarded for purposes of fact-finding.



                          Your affidavit will (or at least it should) be read by the judge, the jury, all parties/lawyers in the case, and (if the ruling of the case is appealed) judges in upper courts. Witnesses and other non-parties are also likely to read your testimony. In fact, you can only expect the defendant(s) through counsel(s) will dispute your credibility in their attempt to impeach/strike your testimony.






                          share|improve this answer














                          How should I address a statement to be presented as evidence in a civil case?




                          The way of addressing the readers is irrelevant. What matters is that the statements your affidavit (which is what you really should produce) be concise and unequivocal so that it is not discarded for purposes of fact-finding.



                          Your affidavit will (or at least it should) be read by the judge, the jury, all parties/lawyers in the case, and (if the ruling of the case is appealed) judges in upper courts. Witnesses and other non-parties are also likely to read your testimony. In fact, you can only expect the defendant(s) through counsel(s) will dispute your credibility in their attempt to impeach/strike your testimony.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Feb 27 at 22:26









                          Iñaki ViggersIñaki Viggers

                          10.2k21530




                          10.2k21530



























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