Section 631.046 Authorizing Presence of Support Person for Minor Prosecuting Witness

MINNESOTA STATUTES AND CODES

Section 631.046 Authorizing Presence of Support Person for Minor Prosecuting Witness

631.046 AUTHORIZING PRESENCE OF SUPPORT PERSON FOR MINOR PROSECUTING WITNESS.

Subdivision 1.Child abuse and violent crime cases.

Notwithstanding any other law, a prosecuting witness under 18 years of age in a case involving child abuse as defined in section 630.36, subdivision 2, a crime of violence, as defined in section 624.712, subdivision 5, or an assault under section 609.224 or 609.2242, may choose to have in attendance or be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other supportive person, whether or not a witness, at the omnibus hearing or at the trial, during testimony of the prosecuting witness. If the person so chosen is also a prosecuting witness, the prosecution shall present on noticed motion, evidence that the person's attendance is both desired by the prosecuting witness for support and will be helpful to the prosecuting witness. Upon that showing the court shall grant the request unless information presented by the defendant or noticed by the court establishes that the support person's attendance during the testimony of the prosecuting witness would pose a substantial risk of influencing or affecting the content of that testimony.

Subd. 2.Other cases.

Notwithstanding any other law, a prosecuting witness in any case involving criminal sexual conduct as defined in sections 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, and 609.345 may choose to be accompanied by a supportive person, whether or not a witness, at the omnibus or other pretrial hearing. If the supportive person is also a witness, the prosecution and the court shall follow the motion procedure outlined in subdivision 1 to determine whether or not the supportive person's presence will be permitted.