Per this question I posted on Law Stack Exchange site, I will soon be a witness in a criminal trial of another in the United States, for which I was also a victim. The crime being prosecuted is the same crime for which I was a victim. The crime is assault and burglary and is being prosecuted under state (vs. federal) jurisdiction.
The state (i.e. prosecution) requested I testify and let me know I will be a significant witness for their case against the defendant. If I can’t testify, there is significant likelihood of jury acquittal or nolle prosequi. If the jury acquits, the Fifth Amendment double jeopardy clause bars subsequent prosecution for the same crime.
I have important job commitments (meetings with internal clients, being on call, my own and team members evaluations being due) during the days defendant will be on trial. Our company is under a hiring freeze and new team members will not be approved. Backfilling my role during my time testifying in court will be difficult as I am in a lead role managing a team. As a result, my manager is unwilling to allow me to take leave to attend court to testify.
As the responses in the linked question states, a face-to-face cross examination by the defense counsel will be required and a prerecorded disposition under oath will be disallowed due to the defendant's Confrontation Clause rights under the Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution.
As I am a victim of crime, I have a strong interest in seeing that the defendant is convicted. My testimony as a witness present on scene is important. This will be the only trial if acquittal were to occur.
What can I do to convince my manager to allow me to take leave to testify in court for prosecution?