NCJ Number
210557
Date Published
2005
Length
49 pages
Annotation
This paper examines various aspects related to the successful investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases.
Abstract
In the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases, this paper examines several aspects of child abuse and the successful investigation and prosecution of these cases. There are five aspects addressed which include: (1) developing a multi-disciplinary response to child abuse cases and developing a protocol for the investigations and prosecution of child abuse cases; (2) understanding the correlation between domestic violence and child abuse; (3) dealing with a juvenile sex offender charged with sexually abusing a child; (4) pretrial motions, jury selection, cross examination, and opening and closing arguments in the prosecution of child abuse cases; (5) the cross examination of defendants and non-expert defense witnesses in child abuse cases; and (6) presenting the opening statement and closing arguments. The paper concludes with how to salvage a case when a child recants before or after trial.