Problem child 1990 480
![problem child 1990 480 problem child 1990 480](https://i.imgur.com/guZPYVw.png)
The Clause's central purpose, to ensure the reliability of the evidence against a defendant by subjecting it to rigorous testing in an adversary proceeding before the trier of fact, is served by the combined effects of the elements of confrontation: physical presence, oath, cross-examination, and observation of demeanor by the trier of fact. The Confrontation Clause does not guarantee criminal defendants an absolute right to a face-to-face meeting with the witnesses against
#Problem child 1990 480 trial
The court held that the procedure usually cannot be invoked unless the child initially is questioned in the defendant's presence, and that, before using the one-way television procedure, the trial court must determine whether a child would suffer severe emotional distress if he or she were to testify by two-way television.ฤก. 1012, before the procedure could be invoked. Although it rejected Craig's argument that the Clause requires in all cases a face-to-face courtroom encounter between the accused and accusers, it found that the State's showing was insufficient to reach the high threshold required by Coy v. The State Court of Special Appeals affirmed, but the State Court of Appeals reversed. Finding that the children were competent to testify, the court permitted testimony under the procedure, and Craig was convicted. Based on expert testimony, the court also found that the alleged victim and other allegedly abused children who were witnesses would suffer serious emotional distress if they were required to testify in the courtroom, such that each would be unable to communicate. The court rejected Craig's objection that the procedure's use violates the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment, ruling that Craig retained the essence of the right to confrontation. Although the child cannot see the defendant, the defendant remains in electronic communication with counsel, and objections may be made and ruled on as if the witness were in the courtroom. If the procedure is invoked, the child, prosecutor, and defense counsel withdraw to another room, where the child is examined and cross-examined the judge, jury, and defendant remain in the courtroom, where the testimony is displayed. Before the trial began, the State sought to invoke a state statutory procedure permitting a judge to receive, by one-way closed circuit television, the testimony of an alleged child abuse victim upon determining that the child's courtroom testimony would result in the child's suffering serious emotional distress such that he or she could not reasonably communicate. Respondent Craig was tried in a Maryland court on several charges related to her alleged sexual abuse of a six-year-old child.