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- Trial Issues In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado False Imprisonment Laws and Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Can a Colorado Domestic Violence Victim Refuse to Testify in Court?
- Understanding The Difference Between Colorado Domestic Violence And Actual Domestic Abuse
- Colorado Criminal Law – 18-8-610 When You Tamper With Evidence -18-8-306 Attempting To Influence A Public Servant and 18-5-104 Second Degree Forgery
- Finding The Best Colorado Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer – Don’t Be “Handed Off” To Another Lawyer In The Firm – One You Did NOT Retain!
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- FAQ: Colorado Domestic Violence Cases Part II
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- H. Michael Steinberg – A Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Lawyer Defense Lawyer
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- How DO The Police Evaluate Colorado Domestic Violence Cases? – The Law 18-6-803.6
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- How Mistakes Are Made In Colorado Domestic Violence Arrests – Predominant Aggressor Analysis
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- Colorado Criminal Law – Restitution Is For ALL Crimes – Not Just Plea Bargained Convictions
- Will My Child Have To Testify In My Colorado Domestic Violence Case?
- Dual Arrests – Colorado Domestic Violence Arrest Mistakes – The Predominant Aggressor Law – Revisited
- How Can I Get A False Colorado Domestic Violence Case Dismissed?
- False Charges In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – The Ugly Divorce
- Why Aren’t Perjury Charges Filed More Often In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases?
- Police Contact in Colorado – What Are My Rights?
- Tactics and Strategies When You Are Accused of Domestic Violence in Colorado
- Colorado Criminal Law Update – Colorado May Upgrade Strangulation To A Felony – Even Without Serious Bodily Injury
- Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Must Conduct A Thorough Investigation Of Your Case To Properly Defend You
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – Defense Lawyers And Victim Contact
- Colorado Criminal Law – Domestic Violence Convictions & Custody Of Your Child
- Colorado Domestic Violence Law – False Reporting To Authorities – 18-8-111 – A Dangerous Law
- New 2013 Colorado Gun Law In Domestic Violence Cases Applies Further Protection / Restraining Order Restrictions On Second Amendment Rights
- Colorado Q and A – Knowing Your Constitutional Rights – The First Step In A Colorado Criminal Defense Strategy
- Colorado Restraining Orders
- How To Lift A Colorado Domestic Violence No Contact Order by Denver Criminal Defense Lawyer – H. Michael Steinberg
- Colorado Domestic Violence Permanent Civil Protection Order Laws – Title 13 and 18
- Lifting Or Modifying Colorado Civil Restraining – Protection Orders Pursuant to C.R.S. 13-14-108
- Colorado Violation Of Protection Orders Cases -18-6-803.5. The Why and The How
- Colorado Civil Protection Orders And The Loss Of The Right To Bear Firearms – 13-14-105.5
- Colorado Criminal Law – Civil Restraining Orders – Common Sense Rules When You Have a Permanent Restraining Order Pending In Court Against You
- Questions and Answers About Violation of A Restraining Order in Colorado
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases and Restraiing Orders
- Colorado Domestic Violence Restraining Orders – The Trick -Making Me Break the Restraining Order
- Colorado Domestic Violence Issues – The Initial Steps To Take In Dealing with a Restraining Order?
- Why Police And Prosecutors Overcharge In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Criminal Restitution Law – Collecting Unpaid Pre- & Post Judgement Interest – An Unfair Turn In The Law
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Laws – Understanding the Crime of Stalking and Stalking Behavior
- Understanding the Crime of Stalking in Colorado – A Case In Point
- Colorado Domestic Violence No Contact Orders
- Why Police And Prosecutors Overcharge In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Domestic Violence Law: Why the Police Make Immediate Arrests in Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Criminal Law: What Is the Crime of False Reporting All About?
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – How Do I Get Off Of This Ride? Discharge Standards, Risk Categories and the Completion of Court Ordered Mandated Treatment – Part I
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – How Do I Get Off Of This Ride? Discharge Standards and the Completion of Court Ordered Mandated Treatment – Part II
- Colorado Domestic Violence Fast Track Programs
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- The Defense Of Anticipated False Allegations Of Domestic Violence Cases in Divorce Cases
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- Don’t They Have To Read Me My Rights? – The Meaning Of Miranda – Custodial Interrogation Under Colorado Law
- Colorado Stalking Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer Writes About Being Charged With Stalking In Colorado 18-3-601, 18-3-602
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- Understanding The Laws, Politics And Policies Behind Domestic Violence Cases – No Room For Justice Here*
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- Colorado’s Child Abuse Mandatory Reporters Law Changed – Does NOT Include Adults
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Will My Child Have To Testify In My Colorado Domestic Violence Case?
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer – Attorney
Will My Child Have To Testify In My Colorado Domestic Violence Case? – Unfortunately children are often present during altercations between their parents or a parent and a significant other. This article examines the decision to call that child (or children) at trial in the defense of the case or utilizing their testimony in other capacities.
Children in Colorado domestic violence cases may:
- witness inter-parental altercations,
- suffer victimization either directly or indirectly (emotionally) or both by those altercations,
- act as either witnesses and/or victims of adult domestic violence.
The names of the children victims of domestic violence will be found on the witness lists disclosed in all domestic violence case filings. If they were interviewed – their statements are always included in the police investigators case reports.
The Involvement of Children In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
Because of the unique relationship that children have to domestic violence cases – they often prove to be the least biased and most truthful source for either side to call on at trial.
But this is a dangerous area for the defense for many reasons.
Colorado law enforcement will look to the children, if present, in domestic violence investigations for the unvarnished truth. The kind of truth that only a child can provide sometimes. If a child is present, the police may be specially trained or they may bring a forensic expert to take the child’s statements along to be included with the statements of all other witnesses taken by other investigators on the scene.
Colorado domestic violence cases can take the form of the very rare long-term chronic violence case to the more typical “isolated incident” in the context of an argument. In “dual charging” cases both intimate partners are charged. The police, in these cases of mutual assault, often have no choice, where it is unclear, based on their investigation, which party was the “primary aggressor.” In these situations the prosecutors of these cases, usually Deputy District Attorneys, must look to other evidence to determine how to successfully prosecute the case, if that is possible…. and that includes calling children witnesses.
On the other hand, making the decision to call or not call a child for the defense in a Colorado domestic violence trial, has even more complex issues to consider. Understanding the unique and complex needs of children in these cases and the potential damage that can be done versus the benefit achieved is critical to making the right decision.
Because every case is different there is a need for an individual assessment to take place of the facts and circumstances with a close integration of the child in mind. The child’s family history and perspective on the prosecution of the case have clear implications on whether a full, fair and candid account in the courtroom can actually take place.
The “Pain” Of The Child Witness In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
If the defense has no choice but to call a child as a witness in a criminal case, it will always be the most painful of the decisions made by the criminal defense lawyer. It is very important that the lawyer does his or her due diligence as regards the obvious multiple traumas of divided loyalties, guilt, internal and external pressure not to testify and other are predictable impacts and experiences within the mind of the child.
To say that the child witness feels a complex range of emotions that includes themselves, their parents and their family – emotions such as such as worry, fear, guilt, relief, sadness, anger, helplessness, powerlessness, blame, shame, embarrassment, anxiety and stigmatization – is an understatement.
It is therefore recommended that an early screening be performed by a competent therapist to assess the ability of the child to sustain being called in this capacity. The child’s complicated feelings about the accused need to be fully understood very early in the process because of the strong possibility that the child may actually end up hurting the defense case.
ON the Defense side, the child witness may:
1. worry about anger or rejection by the accused parent;
2. miss the daily contact and support of the accused parent and want him back; or,
3. worry that the accused parent may suffer in jail, prison, or lonely without his family.
While children obviously hate testifying, the defense migraine decision to call a child as a witness also involves the impact of the testimony on the case. Whether to call, or not call a child witness will depend on such factors as the age of the child, gender, emotional closeness to either side of the case, and the characteristics of the alleged violence in the specific case such as the intensity, duration and history of that domestic violence.
Whether to call or not call a child for the defense case may also include considerations such as:
Was there a visible injury to the non-offending parent?
Did the child actually tend to an alleged injured parent before help arrived?
Was the child injured during the incident?
Is there a history or pattern of violence in the family?
Did the child actually call the police, a neighbor or extended family for help?
Did the child “outcry” to someone outside the home such as a teacher, police officer or a social worker?
Did the child gave a comprehensive or only a brief statement to the police during the investigative process?
Summary And Conclusion
If your criminal defense lawyer decides that the need for the child’s testimony outweighs the risks of not calling that child, the child needs to understand exactly WHY they are being called and what testifying actually means.
The following excerpt from a Canadian law article is an excellent place to begin with advice to the lawyer whose job it will be to prepare the young witness for one of the most difficult tasks they may ever face in their lives:
“My job is to help people tell the truth in court, especially if they are scared to tell the truth. Are there things making you scared to tell the truth in court?”
Help children talk about hidden worries and misunderstandings – learn their common worries and concerns and ….begin there.”
Will My Child Have To Testify In My Colorado Domestic Violence Case?
If you found any of the information I have provided on this web page article helpful please click my Plus+1 or the Share buttons for Twitter and Facebook below so that others may also find it.
The reader is admonished that Colorado criminal law, like criminal law in every state and at the Federal level, changes constantly. The article appearing above was accurate at the time it was drafted but it cannot account for changes occurring after it was uploaded.
If, after reading this article, you have questions about your case and would like to consider retaining our law firm, we invite you to contact us at the Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Law Firm – 303-627-7777.
Never stop fighting – never stop believing in yourself and your right to due process of law. You will not be alone in court, H. Michael will be at your side every step of the way – advocating for justice and the best possible result in your case.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: H. Michael Steinberg – Email The Author at [email protected] – A Denver Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours – or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance – 720-220-2277. Attorney H. Michael Steinberg is passionate about criminal defense. His extensive knowledge and experience of Colorado Criminal Law gives him the edge you need to properly handle your case.
“A good criminal defense lawyer is someone who devotes themselves to their client’s case from beginning to end, always realizing that this case is the most important thing in that client’s life.”
You should be careful to make a responsible choice in selecting a Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – and we encourage you to “vet” our firm. Over the last 40 plus years – by focusing ONLY on Colorado criminal law – H. Michael has had the necessary time to commit to the task of constantly updating himself on nearly every area of criminal law, to include Colorado criminal law and procedure and trial and courtroom practice. H. Michael works hard to get his clients the best possible results in and out of the courtroom. He has written, and continues to write, extensively on Colorado criminal law and he hopes this article helps you in some small way – Will My Child Have To Testify In My Colorado Domestic Violence Case?
Other Articles of Interest:
- FAQ: Colorado Criminal Defense Law – Domestic Violence Cases and The Right to Refuse to Testify Based on the 5th Amendment’s Right to NOT Incriminate Oneself
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Law – The Recanting or Reluctant Witness – Can I Refuse To Testify?
- Trial Issues In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding the Marital Privilege – When A Wife Is Prevented From Testifying Against Her Husband And The Reverse
- FAQ – Under Investigation In Colorado Child Abuse Cases – If You Are Investigated for Child Abuse
