First, Do No Harm: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Children in the Courtroom

DESCRIPTION: Child witnesses often move through the legal system having already told their story to a parent, a teacher, a police officer, a forensic interviewer, and others long before they ever meet the attorney handling their case. Each of those interactions carries the potential to help or to harm, and attorneys who understand where the risks lie are far better equipped to protect both the child and the integrity of the case. This CLE offers a trauma-informed framework for working with child witnesses and victims at every stage of a case, from initial evaluation through trial. Participants will examine the stressors and risk factors that can compound a child's trauma within the legal system, alongside research showing that testifying can also be empowering when children are properly supported. The program then walks through a child's practical journey to the courtroom, including grand jury, evidentiary hearings, competency determinations, and plea consultations. The CLE also discusses legal concepts attorneys must navigate along the way. The course provides concrete, practice-ready guidance on how to assess a child's developmental stage and cultural background, which questions to avoid when establishing competency, how to explain the ‘rules’ of testifying in age-appropriate terms, and how to plan logistics, from safe transport to a designated waiting space, that reduce unnecessary trauma. Participants will leave with practical tools they can apply immediately to make the justice system a safer, less traumatizing place for the children who pass through it. 1.75 hours For accreditation information, check your Bar website or our list: https://www.clecast.net/accreditation. You will watch a video, be provided materials, and then fill out a certificate of completion should your state require that. Access to this CLE is available for 365 days following your purchase.