Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Judge to bailiff: Swear in Officer Brinx

Judge to Bailiff: "Swear in the next witness. Call Officer Brinx."Bailiff: "Officer Brinx, raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"
(Silence)
Bailiff: "Officer Brinx. Raise your right hand!"
(Nothing.)
Bailiff: "Officer Brinx! Raise your right hand ...  Okay, let's try this. Gimme your paw."
Bailiff: "Officer Brinx, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"
Bailiff: "Well, do you?"
Officer Brinx: "Arf."
Judge: "Is that a "Yes'?"
Officer Brinx: "Arf."

OK, so here is the question. How do you elicit truthful testimony from a canine officer? (For those of you who don't understand the point, "Officer Brinx" is a police dog of the Woodstock (Ill.) Police Department.

"Ofc. Brinx" is listed as a possible witness to be called in Woodstock PD's case against James A. Baartz in a drug arrest on June 10.

Why would a police dog be listed as a witness in a court case? It's the handler who can testify as to what he observed about any alert by his dog. The dog is not going to recognize the defendant.

"Officer Brinx, you are dismissed as a witness."

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