As a witness on a trial list, what does "Jane Doe #8" signify?

Question

-----In a list of witnesses in a federal trial, I saw "Jane Doe #2" and "Jane Doe #8" listed, along with many ordinary names. Why do they give a name like "Jane Doe #8"? That is hiding the name, not giving it. ---Thanks, Jim

Answer 1

Favorite Answer

jane doe protects the identity of a person...

same with john doe.

courts also use these to name unknown victims

Answer 2

sometimes its a person they havnt found yet and dont know her name lots of times its a way of holding a space for someone you may get to testify later seeing how discovery allows each party to see the case or defense thats going to be presented in court

Answer 3

i dont know , why they do that, my friend.