Cross-Examination of Child Witnesses
Cross-Examination of Child Witnesses STANLEY G. SCHNEIDER Schneider & McKinney, P.C. 5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 750, Houston, TX 77007, (713) 951-9994 During the past several years, we have experienced a great increase in the number of criminal prosecutions that depend on the testimony of child witnesses, children under the age of 18 years of age. Even more disturbing are the number of cases where lawyers are forced to question children who are five or six years old or younger. These cases present distinct and difficult problems for the criminal defense lawyers. Traditionally, lawyers are taught to ...
Defense of Child Sexual Abuse Cases
Defense of Child Sexual Abuse Cases STANLEY G. SCHNEIDER Schneider & McKinney, P.C. 5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 750, Houston, TX 77007, (713) 951-9994 During the past several years, we have experienced a great increase in the number of criminal prosecutions that depend on the testimony of child witnesses, children under the age of 18 years of age. These cases present distinct and difficult problems for the criminal defense lawyers. For example, traditionally, lawyers are taught to aggressively cross-examine. Terrence MacCarthy, from Chicago, preaches that during cross-examination, the defense lawyers should be in total control of the witness and ...
Extraneous Offenses – Defending Sex Crimes Involving Children
“EXTRANEOUS OFFENSES” DEFENDING SEX CRIMES INVOLVING CHILDREN STANLEY G. SCHNEIDER Schneider & McKinney, P.C. 5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 750, Houston, TX 77007, (713) 951-9994 Presented to: Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, March, 2006 I. SCOPE OF ARTICLE This Article analyzes the admissibility of extraneous acts of misconduct under Rules 404(b) and 403 of the Texas and Federal Rules of Evidence. In particular, sections will focus on the admissibility of evidence of offenses as it ...
