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Preparing Children for Court
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Preparing Children for Court
A Practitioner's Guide

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


192 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Preparing Children for Court and its accompanying workbooks will aid social workers; court educators, victim/witness specialist, law enforcement, therapists, and attorneys help children enter the justice system, understand the necessary elements of court rules and structure, and feel confident enough to testify truthfully.

Finding Your Way

This brief-easy-to-understand book explains what happens when a child discloses abuse and how various systems may respond to this disclosure, from investigation through prosecution or juvenile court involvement to therapy.

Getting Ready for Court: Criminal Court Edition

A fun, friendly first step in helping prepare primary-aged children to testify in criminal cases involving abuse.

Getting Ready for Court: Civil Court Edition

This child-friendly book is a first step in helping prepare primary aged children to testify in civil cases involving abuse.

 
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

Lynn M. Copen

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