NCJ Number
90325
Date Published
1981
Length
0 pages
Annotation
The videotape presents a mock contested dependency hearing based on a hypothetical child abuse case, a composite of actual cases that have been referred to and tried by the Pima County Juvenile Court. It portrays the questioning of medical personnel called as expert witnesses.
Abstract
In this case, the mother pleaded guilty to child abuse and was sent to prison. The State filed a petition for dependency, but the child's father is contesting this, since he wants his daughter to live with him. Witnesses appearing include a pediatrician and the father's therapist, a psychiatric social worker. The effectiveness of the medical testimony in cases of contested dependency is based mainly on thorough preparation of the medical evidence. The medical evaluation of the child's condition should be carefully documented, including descriptions of all injuries and evidence of neglect. Confidentiality is a particular concern of therapists who are called to testify in court, since their testimony can potentially harm the client-therapist relationship. The presentation shows how witnesses should respond and the roles of the State's attorney, the parent's attorney, and the child's attorney. An instructional guide accompanies the videotape.