NCJ Number
152796
Date Published
1994
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This document summarizes Federal, State, and territorial legislation authorizing the admissibility of videotaped depositions and testimony in child abuse and neglect hearings.
Abstract
Videotaped testimony is introduced in lieu of live testimony at a criminal trial. This compilation includes only those statutes that specifically refer to a child testifying at a deposition, preliminary hearing, or grand jury proceeding, or providing other sworn testimony. Each summary includes crimes to which the statute applies, age of the witness, applicability, criteria for admissibility, factors considered in determining good cause, persons who may be present at the videotaping of the testimony, and any special issues. In addition, the entries note whether the constitutionality of the given statute has been tested by the appellate courts.