Legislation and Case Law Regarding the Competency Of Child Witnesses to Testify in Criminal Proceedings (Current through March 2011) This compilation contains legislation, session laws, and codified statues. All statutes, laws, and bills listed in this compilation have been signed by the pertinent governor and enacted into law. This report was complied using State Net, and Lexis Search Services. This compilation is up-to-date as of the month it was created. However, please note we recommend checking both case law and current legislation for any possible modifications to the statutes listed below. Table of Contents: ALABAMA....................................................................................................................................................................5 ALA. R. EVID. 601 (2010). General Rule of Competency .........................................................................................5 ALA. CODE § 15-25-3(e) (2010). Closed circuit examination of victim....................................................................5 ALASKA........................................................................................................................................................................5 ALASKA. R. EVID. 601 (2010). General Rule of Competency...................................................................................5 ARIZONA ......................................................................................................................................................................5 ARIZ. R. EVID. 601 (2011). General Rule of Competency.........................................................................................5 ARIZ. REV. STAT. § 13-4061 (2011). Competency of Witness..................................................................................5 ARKANSAS ..................................................................................................................................................................6 ARK. R. EVID. 601 (2010). General Rule of Competency .........................................................................................6 CALIFORNIA................................................................................................................................................................6 CAL. EVID. CODE § 700 (2011). General Rule as to Competency.............................................................................6 CAL. EVID. CODE § 701 (2011). Disqualification of Witness ...................................................................................6 CAL. EVID. CODE § 710 (2011). Oath required; Exception for child or dependent person with cognitive impairment.................................................................................................................................................................6 CAL. PENAL CODE § 1321 (2011). Competency; applicability of civil rules; exceptions..........................................6 COLORADO..................................................................................................................................................................7 COLO. CODE OF EVID. 601 (2011). General Rule of Competency.............................................................................7 COLO. REV. STAT. § 13-90-106 (2011). Who may not testify...................................................................................7 COLO. REV. STAT. § 13-90-117.5 (2011). Oath or affirmation taken by a child........................................................7 CONNECTICUT............................................................................................................................................................7 CONN. CODE OF EVID. 6-1 (2011). General Rule of Competency .............................................................................7 CONN. GEN. STAT. § 54-86G (2011). Testimony of victim of child abuse. Court may order testimony taken outside courtroom. Procedure ................................................................................................................................................7 CONN. GEN. STAT. § 54-86h (2011). Competency of child as witness......................................................................8 DELAWARE..................................................................................................................................................................9 DEL. R. EVID. 601 (2011). General Rule of Competency ..........................................................................................9 DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 10, § 4302 (2010). Competency to testify .................................................................................9 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA..........................................................................................................................................9 FLORIDA.......................................................................................................................................................................9 FLA. EVID. CODE § 5.11 (2002). Competency of Children........................................................................................9 FLA. STAT. § 92.54 (2010). Use of closed circuit television in proceedings involving victims or witnesses under the age of 16 or persons with mental retardation.....................................................................................................10 FLA. STAT. § 92.55 (2010). Judicial or other proceedings involving victim or witness under the age of 16 or person with mental retardation; special protections ................................................................................................11 GEORGIA ....................................................................................................................................................................12 GA. CODE ANN. § 24-3-16 (2010). Statements made by child under age of 14 years describing acts of sexual contact or physical abuse.........................................................................................................................................12 GA. CODE ANN. § 24-9-1 (2010). Competency of witnesses to testify ....................................................................12 GA. CODE ANN. § 24-9-5 (2010). Persons who do not have the use of reason ........................................................12 GA. CODE ANN. § 24-9-7 (2010). Court decides competency; objections to competency; restoration to competency..............................................................................................................................................................13 HAWAII.......................................................................................................................................................................13 National District Attorneys Association National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse 1 HAW. R. EVID. 601 (2010). General Rule of Competency ......................................................................................13 HAW. R. EVID. 603.1 (2010). Disqualifications.......................................................................................................13 IDAHO .........................................................................................................................................................................13 IDAHO CT. RULES 601 (2010). General Rule of Competency .................................................................................13 IDAHO CODE ANN. § 9-201 (2011). Who may be witnesses -- Credibility of witnesses..........................................14 IDAHO CODE ANN. § 9-202 (2011). Who may not testify........................................................................................14 IDAHO CODE ANN. § 19-2110 (2011).......................................................................................................................15 ILLINOIS .....................................................................................................................................................................15 705 ILL. COMP. STAT. 80/1 (2010). Child Witness Trauma Reduction....................................................................15 725 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/115-10 (2010). Certain Hearsay Exceptions....................................................................15 725 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/115-14 (2010). Witness Competency ...............................................................................16 INDIANA.....................................................................................................................................................................17 IND. CODE. 601 (2011). Witness Competency.........................................................................................................17 IND. CODE § 34-45-2-1 (2011). Witnesses competent unless excluded ..................................................................17 IND. CODE § 35-37-4-1 (2011). Competency of Witnesses .....................................................................................17 IOWA ...........................................................................................................................................................................17 IOWA R. EVID. 5. 601 (2011). General Rule of Competency ..................................................................................17 KANSAS ......................................................................................................................................................................18