You are here

Preparing Children for Court
Share

Preparing Children for Court
A Practitioner's Guide

  • Lynn M. Copen - Kenosha County District Attorneys Office, Kenosha, WI


August 2000 | 192 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

"Going to court can be frightening and confusing for children, particularly for those already harmed by a traumatic event. These excellent pamphlets explain criminal and civil court procedures with child-friendly language and illustrations. They are designed to help children understand the child witness' role and court processes. The authors are to be commended for taking on this important task."

--Sarah H. Ramsey, Professor of Law and Director, Syracuse University College of Law

Every year thousands of cases of child abuse involving young witnesses are referred to the court system. Properly preparing children for the experience of court can minimize the emotional stress and allow them to become more credible witnesses. The first of its kind, Preparing Children for Court, is intended as an aid for social workers, court educators, victim/witness specialists, law enforcement, therapists, and attorneys. Written in an engaging manner, this text divulges the "tricks of the trade" that will allow the child to enter the legal systems without negative consequences.

This text is packaged with three children's workbooks to facilitate the child's learning and understanding of the court process. Viewed as an essential toolkit, no professional in the field should be without this volume and its accompanying workbooks.

Price includes one set of the three workbooks


 
PART ONE: EDUCATOR INFORMATION: BUILDING A FOUNDATION
 
Introduction Information for Court Educators
 
The Need for a Court Educator
 
Possible Functions of a Court Educator
 
Common Problems Encountered and Learning Basic Rules of Court
 
Suggested Tools and Supplies
 
PART TWO: PREPARING TO PERFORM DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS
 
Case Assessment Phase
 
PART THREE: BASIC FOUNDATION INFORMATION: COMMUNICATING WITH CHILD WITNESSES
 
Basic Information
Facts about Children's Language Skills

 
 
Potential Sources of Information about a Child's Communication Abilities or Limitations
 
Communication Problems with 'Multiple Events' or 'Repeated Act' Cases
 
The Need to 'Anchor' a Witness during a Conversation
 
PART FOUR: MEETING THE PARENT AND CHILD
 
Meeting the Parent and Child
 
PART FIVE: THE COURT EDUCATOR, LAWYER AND THERAPIST
 
What to Look for When Screening a Case for Specialized Intervention
 
Crisis Management versus Therapy
 
The Role of a Therapist in a Court Case
What Should a Therapist Ask When Contacted by a Lawyer?

 
 
Preparation Suggestions
 
PART SIX: A PROSECUTOR'S PERSPECTIVE ON COURT PREPARATION: BOUNDARIES AND ROLES
Thomas J Fallon
The Role of a Prosecutor
 
Interdisciplinary Teamwork
 
Time and Effort
 
Vertical versus Horizontal Prosecutor
 
The Charging Decision
 
Preliminary Hearings and Grand Juries
 
Preparing the Child for Court
The Prosecutor's Responsibility

 
 
Working with the Severely Traumatized Child
 
Preparing the Court for the Child
Pretrial Motion Practice

 
 
Introducing Evidence of Other Acts of Abuse
 
The Discovery Process
 
Videotape and Closed Circuit Television
 
Contact with the Defense
Negotiations

 
 
Meeting with the Defense
 
Trial Considerations and Testimonial Tips

A very useful book particularly in relation to the module protecting safeguarding children and young people and core processes are rare find...

Mrs Toni Benaton
Health and Social Care at Derby, Derby University
January 26, 2022

For instructors

Select a Purchasing Option


Rent or Buy eBook
ISBN: 9781452221953

Kit Print
ISBN: 9780761921820
$128.00

Paperback
ISBN: 9780761921943
$218.00

This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.