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Chapter 38 - Trials - cited by 2,061 documents
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Citations - New Mexico Appellate Reports
In re Pamela A.G. - cited by 118 documents
Decision Content
10-571. Motion to permit testimony by alternative method.
STATE OF NEW MEXICO
COUNTY OF _______________
________________ JUDICIAL DISTRICT
IN THE CHILDREN’S COURT
STATE OF NEW MEXICO ex rel.
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT
No. __________
In the Matter of
__________________________, (a) Child(ren), and Concerning
__________________________, Respondent(s).
MOTION TO PERMIT TESTIMONY BY ALTERNATIVE METHOD
COMES NOW ________________,1 Movant, and requests leave for _______________, Child, to testify before the Court by alternative method. In support of this Motion, Movant states the following:
1. Movant’s relationship to Child is as follows: ________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
2. Child is expected to testify at the _____________________ (type of hearing) set before the Court on ______________ (date) at ______________ (time).
3. Movant seeks an order of the Court permitting Child to testify via the following alternative method2: _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
4. Permitting Child to testify by alternative method is necessary to serve Child’s best interests or to enable Child to communicate with the Court.3
5. The reasons supporting testimony by alternative method are as follows: (select and explain your reasoning for all that apply)
[ ] The nature of the hearing: ________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
[ ] The age and maturity of Child: _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
[ ] The relationship of Child to the parties in the proceeding: ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
[ ] the nature and degree of mental or emotional harm that Child may suffer in testifying: _______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
[ ] other: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
6. Other alternative methods reasonably available for protecting the interests of or reducing mental or emotional harm to Child include: ________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________. Movant, however, requests the particular method described in this Motion because _____________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________.
7. Other means for protecting the interests of or reducing mental or emotional harm to Child without resort to an alternative method include: ____________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________. Movant, however, requests the particular method described in this Motion because ____________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________.
8. This is an abuse and neglect proceeding where Child will need to testify about difficult and sensitive subject matter, including: ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
9. Child’s proposed testimony is necessary to enable the Court to make a fully informed ruling in this proceeding.
10. The nature and degree of mental or emotional harm that Child may suffer if an alternative method is not used are as follows: _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
11. Other reasons supporting testimony by alternative method include4: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
12. Child’s best interests and the Court’s interest in enabling Child to communicate with the Court outweigh the other parties’ interests implicated by Child’s testimony by alternative method.5
13. Movant requests the following additional measures to protect Child’s best interests and to enable Child to communicate with the Court: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.6
14. The additional measures requested in Paragraph 13 are necessary because ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
15. Counsel for the other parties [concur] [do not concur] in the relief requested in this Motion.
WHEREFORE, Movant respectfully requests the Court to enter an order as follows:
1. Finding and concluding that the alternative method of testimony requested in this Motion is necessary to serve Child’s best interests or enable Child to communicate with the Court;
2. Permitting Child to testify by alternative method at the ________________ (type of hearing) set in this matter on ____________________________ (date);
3. Setting forth the following additional measures to protect Child’s best interests and to enable Child to communicate with the Court: _____________________
_________________________________________________________________; and
4. Awarding any other relief as the Court sees fit and just.
Respectfully Submitted:
By: _______________________
Movant’s attorney
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
This is to certify that a true and accurate copy of the foregoing was mailed or faxed to all parties of record on this __________________ (date).
________________________
USE NOTES
1. This motion may be brought by a party, a child witness, or an individual determined by the court to have a sufficient connection to the child to act on behalf of the child. See Rule 10-340(A) NMRA.
2. Alternative methods of testimony may include testimony by closed circuit television, deposition, closed forum, or any other method that would serve the best interests of the child or enable the child to communicate with the court.
3. Rule 10-340 NMRA and the Uniform Child Witness Protective Measures Act, NMSA 1978, § 38-6A-1 to -9, permit courts to allow testimony from children by alternative methods if allowing testimony by the alternative method is necessary to serve the best interests of the child or allow the child to communicate with the finder of fact. See Rule 10-340(B); NMSA 1978 § 38-6A-5(B). Additionally, Rule 11-611(A)(3) NMRA allows the court to control the mode and order of interrogation and presentation of testimony of a witness.
4. An alternative method of testimony may be preferable because it would enable the child to more fully express the child’s position or because the child has a disability or a therapeutic need that supports an alternative method of testimony.
5. For a discussion of the rights implicated by permitting a child to testify by alternative method in an abuse and neglect proceeding, see In re Pamela A.G., 2006-NMSC-019, ¶ 12, 139 N.M. 459, 463, 134 P.3d 746, 750.
6. Additional safeguards may include requiring certain individuals or categories of individuals to be allowed in or excluded from the child’s presence during some or all of the child’s testimony, imposing special conditions on the other parties’ ability to examine or cross-examine the child, or placing conditions or limitations upon the participation of individuals present during the child’s testimony. See Rule 10-340(D) NMRA.
[Approved by Supreme Court Order No. 16-8300-017, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after December 31, 2016.]