1,195. The Obligation to Testify

181:11 If a city doesn't have any scholars fit to be judges, they appoint the best and wisest amongst them in the opinion of the townspeople. These will judge even though they aren't objectively fit to be judges so that the people shouldn't have to go to non-Jewish courts. Since the residents of the city have accepted them, no one can disqualify them. All their actions should be for the sake of Heaven.

181:12 If a person has information to testify on behalf of another, if it's proper to testify for him, and if the other will benefit from his testimony, then if the other summons him to testify before beis din on his behalf, he is obligated to testify, whether there is another witness testifying alongside him or whether he is a lone witness. If he withholds his testimony, he is guilty according to Heaven's laws. A person is not permitted to testify about something he doesn't know firsthand, even if a reliable person told him about it. Let's say that one of the litigants said to him, "Come stand with my one witness and don't say anything. I just want to intimidate the one who owes me money. If he thinks I have two witnesses, he will admit his debt."  Even so, one may not listen to him because of Exodus 23:7, "keep far away from a false matter."