HB 1187 -- Children's Bill of Courtroom Rights

Sponsor:  Dixon

This bill establishes a children's bill of courtroom rights that
applies to all children testifying in court.  In its main
provisions, the bill:

(1)  Assures a child the right to understand the oath
administered in court and requires the court to present the oath
in a developmentally appropriate manner;

(2)  Grants the child the right to understand all questions asked
of him or her;

(3)  Requires the court to allow the child to testify at a time
of day when the child is best able to understand the questions
asked of him or her;

(4)  Grants the child the right to have a comfort item, such as a
blanket or stuffed animal, when testifying;

(5)  Grants the child the right to have a support person present
during his or her testimony;

(6)  Requires that the child is questioned in a manner that is
neither intimidating nor frightening which includes disallowing
any attorney from raising his or her voice while questioning the
child or making an argument; and

(7)  Grants the child the right to be comfortable when
testifying.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am