Witness Letter to Judge

[RJolly]

Hello, I will soon be going to trial in the small claims court.
I have witness testimony to back up my case. The witness cannot be present in the court so I am going to have him write a letter to the judge.
My question is whether this letter has to be notarised, or will the judge accept it as evidence so long as it is signed and has the full contact details of the witness?

 

[army judge]

Letters from witnesses are not accepted in Illionois small claims courts.

You may bring to court witnesses to testify to their personal knowledge and observations relevant to the case. Do not bring letters from witnesses to your trial because they are not admissible even though written under oath and notarized. If any witness refuses to attend the trial, you may have the court order the witness to come to court with a subpoena.

http://research.lawyers.com/Illinois/IL-Small-Claims-Trials.html

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6531546/Illinois-Small-Claims

 

[jharris352]

I suggest you get a subpoena and the witness will have to show up. It may be inconvenient but that is the only way you will get that evidence before the court.