OVERVIEW OF THE STATUTORY, POLICE INVESTIGATIVE, AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SUPERIOR COURT PROCEDURES RELATING TO CHILDREN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

• NCJ Number: 61195
• Author(s): D W LLOYD
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 55 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER EXPLAINS THE INVESTIGATIVE AND LEGAL PROCESSES THAT ARE SET IN MOTION BY AN ACT OF SEXUAL ABUSE DIRECTED AT A CHILD AND REPORTED TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (D.C.) POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Abstract

THE STATUTORY OFFENSES RELATING TO SEXUAL ABUSE THAT MAY BE PROSECUTED IN D.C. INCLUDE RAPE, ATTEMPTED CARNAL KNOWLEDGE, INDECENT ACTS, SODOMY, AND INCEST. EVIDENCE NEEDED TO PROVE THAT AN OFFENSE HAS BEEN COMMITTED IS DISCUSSED, FOLLOWED BY A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION OF A TRIAL. AMONG THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED ARE THE CHILD'S TESTIMONY, IDENTIFICATION OF THE SUSPECT, THE NEED FOR CORROBORATION, TYPES OF CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE, SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE, AND EXPERT TESTIMONY. THE STEPS INVOLVED IN THE POLICE AND DEFENSE INVESTIGATIONS ARE DESCRIBED. THESE ARE FOLLOWED BY SUMMARIES OF THE ALTERNATIVE PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE: ADULT CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, ADULT INTRAFAMILY PROCEEDINGS, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROSECUTION, AND NEGLECT PROCEEDINGS. DIAGRAMS ACCOMPANY THE DISCUSSIONS OF THE PROCEEDINGS. EXCERPTS FROM RELEVANT D.C. STATUTES AND STATISTICAL DATA ON CASES OF NEGLECT INVOLVING SEXUAL ABUSE ARE APPENDED.