CHILDREN AND THE LAW
...The Child Witness
......Direct Confrontation—Avoidance
.........Testimony Out of Sight of Party/Accused
............Dependency Proceedings
6 Cards On This Topic:

Testimony of minor may be taken outside presence of parents.

Minor may testify in chambers outside presence of parents without stating fear of testifying.

Parent not denied right of confrontation when child testified in chambers and parents’ attorney permitted to cross-examine.

Court has discretion to exclude stepparent in dependency proceedings from courtroom while minor testifies, when stepparent represented by counsel who is present.

Parent’s rights not violated by excluding them at dispositional hearing while minor testified. Their attorney was present.

Evid. Code §1293, allowing transcripts of Ms’ prelim testimony re criminal molestation by F in W&I §300 hearing, is constitutional; right to confront and cross-examine not absolute.