If you do not know the answer to a question in court, what should you say?

In a court setting, the integrity of the testimony is paramount. When you genuinely do not know the answer to a question, it is essential to maintain honesty and clarity in your response. Indicating "I don't know" demonstrates professionalism and upholds the duty to provide truthful information to the court. This approach ensures that no misinformation is presented, which can lead to confusion or misinterpretation of the facts. It also protects the witness from potential legal repercussions that could arise from providing false or misleading answers.

Providing related information or guessing can lead to inaccuracies, which could undermine the credibility of the testimony. Similarly, asking the judge for clarification is appropriate in instances of misunderstanding, but it does not apply when the question is simply beyond the witness's knowledge. Thus, the most appropriate and responsible response when uncertain about an answer is to acknowledge that you do not know it.