When somebody gets charged for child molestation...?
in the prosecution side..does the parent/gaurdian of the child sit with the lawyer in a court room or the child him/her self??
Answers:
depends on the age of the child. the parent/guardian can sit with them.
The child can be in the courtroom to testify, but some don't want to be in the same room as someone who molested them, so they can do their testimony via television, from another part of the courthouse. They can even have a partition put up, between them and the defendant. It is the defendants right to see who is testifying against them, but it isn't always necassary, such as in this case. The parents are usually present with the child, if they are going to testify.
depends on whether the parent was directly involved in the molestation itself... if not then most likely the parent will sit next to the child and lawyer... or then if the situation is less than civil.. the child may not even be in the courtroom... the parent would be representative next to the lawyer until the child is brought for testifying.
Depending on the age of the child and circumstances of the case, the child may not even be permitted in the courtroom due to mental and emotional reasons.
It would depend on certain things.
If this is family court, then the child would not be present until required by the judge to be questioned, and at this point they'd have to sit on their own so it's not possible for you to tell them what to say, however for comfort you may be allowed in the room at the time.
This also depends on the childs age. If they're in the younger category it is possible in some cases that they don't have to be there at all, interviews can be held in the judges chambers, taped interviews can be played, and often it comes down to social workers/officers interviews and statements of what the child told them over the child testifying, at younger ages.
As the child grows older and more able to understand the idea of telling the truth, not purgering themselves, etc. etc. they're more likely to be asked to testify.
In most cases such as these, the child doesn't have to experience the entire trial, only the parts in which they're required to give information.
If I were you I would try and have this conversation with my lawyer to get the details down pat, however in cases such as these the child is always the priority and should not be put in any postion to feel afraid or alone.
The child would likely not be in court.
Courts do all that is possible to avoid having to have the children testify.
If the child is testifying, they are not allowed in the court room at other times as it may jade their testimony to hear other evidence.
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