Cross-examining young alleged complainers in Scottish criminal courts

Andrews, Samantha J.

Abstract

Presents the results of research into lawyers’ questioning techniques of children in cases of alleged sexual offences. A sample of 36 Scottish court transcripts was drawn, involving 56 children between the ages of five and 17. The analysis indicates that a large proportion of the questions posed were suggestive questions that implied expected responses or introduced undisclosed information, as well as being overly-complex and repetitious.

Citation

Andrews, S. J. (2018). Cross-examining young alleged complainers in Scottish criminal courts. Criminal Law Review, 34-57

• Acceptance Date: Sep 2, 2017
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2018
• Journal: Criminal Law Review
• Print ISSN: 0011-135X
• Publisher: Sweet and Maxwell
• Pages: 34-57
• Keywords: criminal law, Scotland