Expert as Witness (From Child Sexual Abuse: A Handbook for Health Care and Legal Professionals, P 181-189, 1988, Diane H Schetky and Arthur H Green, eds. -- See NCJ-113435)

• NCJ Number: 113439
• Author(s): D H Schetky
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: Brunner/Mazel, Inc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper advises professionals on matters pertaining to expert testimony in child sexual abuse cases in family court, civil court, and criminal court.

Abstract

In family court, expert testimony will usually address evidence for abuse, its impact on the child, and disposition and treatment. Civil proceedings arise when sexual abuse victims file for damages related to the abuse. The expert may be asked by either the plaintiffs' attorney or the defense attorney to examine the plaintiff regarding premorbid and current psychological functioning. In criminal court, child mental health experts have typically testified on behalf of the child victim. The pediatrician may be asked to testify on physical findings. More recently, expert witnesses have testified about hypotheticals or have educated the court and jury about the dynamics and aftereffects of child sexual abuse and the mechanics of assessing allegations of sexual abuse. Guidelines for expert witnesses in this paper cover preparation of a written report, pretrial conference with the attorney, the subpoena, preparation for court, depositions, testifying in court, redirect examination, and followup. 7 references.