You shouldn't have created joinder. Now look at where you are!

Seriously, though...

1) You're due that witness fee whether you hire a lawyer to get it for you or not. The clerk of the court should be able to tell you how to get that.

2) Lawyers from both sides may want to talk to you beforehand. It's your choice and you have every right to tell both of them to go and get forked. I'll generally talk to the side that subpoenaed me, and will refuse to talk to the other side.

3) If it's criminal, the DA's office should have someone called a "victim-witness coordinator." That person specializes in helping lay witnesses who aren't totally familiar with the process.

4) I won't say that witness retaliation never happens, but it's damn rare. I've been to court more than a few times, including violent gang-related crimes, and never had an issue. Come to think of it, Bad Check Rhonda's son and a few DV cases (and in those, only the suspect retaliating against the victim) are the only ones I've ever heard of.