§ 62-6B-1 — Legislative findings

The Legislature hereby finds that there are rare occasions when the interests of justice cannot be served because a child who is alleged to be the victim of certain offenses is unable to testify while in the physical presence of the defendant in the courtroom.

The Legislature further finds that the Constitutional right of the accused to be confronted with the witnesses against him or her must be protected and that this Constitutional guarantee can be protected while, at the same time, allowing a child to testify outside of the physical presence of a defendant in the courtroom.

The Legislature further finds that a child, more so than an adult, may be subject to coercion and pressure by interested adults and the interests of justice would be served by requiring, unless infeasible, memorialization of child victim statements in certain criminal matters.

Legislative History

2001 Reg. Sess., SB34