Preparing Children for Court
Attorneys Christen Krzywonski and Gabriela Manero discuss the following: (1) how to handle the initial meeting with the child; (2) what measures to take during the second preparatory meeting with the child; and (3) other preparatory considerations such special questioning techniques to use when a child is on the stand;(4) situations where the use of CCTV is most appropriate for children.
How to Effectively Use CCTV
Attorneys Mary Ahan and Christen Krzywonski discuss the following: (1) the necessary components of a motion requesting the use of CCTV; (2) the benefits and detriments of using CCTV to facilitate child witness testimony; and (3) a checklist of steps to take in order to effectively use CCTV.
Ways to Make Children Comfortable In Court
Attorneys Mary Ahan and Christen Krzywonski discuss the legal basis for the following alternatives to using CCTV: (1) videotaping the testimony; (2) using a therapy canine to comfort the child while he or she is testifying; (2) allowing the child to take a comfort item to the stand when testifying; (3) having a support person for the child when he or she is testifying; and (4) other special accommodations a prosecutor can make such as modifying the courtroom to make the child more comfortable.
Therapy Animals In Court
When a child has been maltreated, disclosing to a stranger can be difficult and testifying in court can be traumatic. When trained therapy animals are incorporated into the process, children feel safe and more comfortable to speak about their experiences. This webinar will detail partnering with animal-assisted therapy teams, starting a therapy animal program, and dos and don’ts for incorporating therapy animals as greeters, in forensic interviews, medical exams, therapy, court preparation; and courtroom testimony. Legal objections and suggested responses will also be presented.
Why CCTV is Legal – Part 1
Attorneys Dermot Garrett and Ann Ratnayake discuss the following: (1) how using CCTV to facilitate child testimony affects a defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to confrontation; (2) the differences between one-way CCTV and two-way CCTV; and (3) whether the standard articulated in Maryland v. Craig applies to two-way CCTV.
Why CCTV is Legal – Part 2
Attorneys Dermot Garrett and Mary Ahan discuss the following: (1) standards applicable to requesting the use of CCTV to facilitate child testimony; (2) criteria for allowing CCTV; and (3) rebutting Confrontation Clause arguments made by the defense.
Expert Testimony as Predictive Evidence
Attorneys Ann Ratnayake and Dermot Garrett discuss the following: (1) how to assess trauma in a child when determining whether CCTV is necessary; (2) the necessity of expert testimony to support a motion to use CCTV; and (3) preparing an expert psychologist to testify on behalf of the motion.
