Live Television Link: An Evaluation of Its Use by Child Witnesses in Scottish Criminal Trials

• NCJ Number: 171519
• Author(s): K Murray
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 234 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Scottish Office Central Research & Statistics Unit
• Sale Source: HMSO Bookshops
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study evaluates and monitors the introduction of live television in some Scottish criminal courts and notes other measures intended to facilitate children's testimony.

Abstract

The volume presents information in the following chapters: (1) Background to the Reform (new techniques, including live television, for taking children's evidence); (2) Findings of Previous Research; (3) Live Television Link Applications; (4) Granting a Live Television Link "Only on Cause Shown"; (5) The Research Sample; (6) Impact on the Child); (7) Impact on the Quality of Children's Evidence; (8) The Lawyers' Perspective; (9) The Judges' Perspective; (10) Other Participants in the Trial; (11) Other Options and Considerations; and (12) Conclusions and Recommendations. The book also discusses ancillary issues, including: the competency examination for younger children, identification of the accused, use of an intermediary for questioning disturbed children, use of screens in the courtroom to shield the child from the accused, taking children's evidence on commission, use of prior and video-recorded statements to supplement a child's evidence, and use of live television in civil proceedings. Note, tables, appendixes, references