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When a child has been abused sexually, physically, or emotionally, the child may be afraid to go to court, face the abuser, and relive the experience all over again. Our Sarasota child abuse attorneys understand that children may be nervous or stressed about having to testify in court in front of a judge and jury. Therefore, we want to share some of the possible protections available to children.
Most children, their parents and even some attorneys aren’t aware of these Florida child protections, which can help children feel safe in cases of this nature. They include:
- The use of initials. Attorneys who are concerned about protecting a child victim’s privacy only use the child’s initials when filing a lawsuit. This way your child’s full name will not be on public record.
- Recorded depositions. In many child abuse cases, attorneys can request that judges will not make child victims testify in court. Instead, the child’s testimony can be videotaped beforehand. Having an attorney on your side who knows about this protection can make all the difference to your child. This way, your child can be deposed at home, at an attorney’s office, or at a therapist’s office—that allows for parents to be present— where he or she will be able to take breaks and feel more comfortable with the process.
- Sealed records. When a child goes through therapy following such a traumatic event, the records can be sealed so the information won’t be subject to public disclosure.
To learn more about protections available to Sarasota child abuse victims, you should contact an experienced Florida child injury lawyer. By having an attorney on your side who knows how to properly protect your child through this legal claim, your child and your entire family will be more comfortable with the legal process. Contact Mallard Perez today at 888-409-3805 to speak with a qualified Sarasota child abuse lawyer in a private, free initial consultation.
