Child abuse: Virginia statutes and case law

137 Pages·2010·0.83 MB·English

by  Virginia. Dept. of Criminal Justice Services

This document may be used as a supplement to the publication “Investigation and Prosecution of
Child Abuse: Third Edition”published by American Prosecutors Research Institute’s National Center
for the Prosecution of Child Abuse
Inquiries should be directed to:
Children’s Justice Act Program
Juvenile Services Section
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
805 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
[phone]
www.dcjs.org/juvenile/cja
December 2003
1
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) would like to express appreciation to the following
individual for his work on the 2003 edition of this document:
Robert E. Shepherd, Jr.
Emeritus Professor, T.C. Williams School of Law
University of Richmond
1
DCJS also recognizes the following individuals for their contributions to the development of previous
versions of this document:
• National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse
American Prosecutors Research Institute
• Mark Ells, Senior Attorney
• Ryan Rainey, Senior Attorney
• Sue Perlis Marx, Senior Attorney
• Charles Phipps, Staff Attorney
• Frank Gallo
Commonwealth’s Attorney, Fluvana County
• William E. Jarvis
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Pittsylvania County
• Cathy E. Krinick
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney, City of Hampton
• Richard Moore
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, City of Staunton
• Sally Steel
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, City of Lynchburg
• Sandra Sylvester
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Prince William County
This document is supported by Children’s Justice Act Grant No. G-0101VACJA1, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Administration for Children, Youth and Families. Points of view or opinions expressed do not necessarily
represent the official position of the Department of Health and Human Services.
1
These individuals are listed according to their professional position at the time of their contribution to the document in 1994.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface ................................................................................................................ 9
Introduction ....................................................................................................... 11
CHAPTER ONE: Investigation
I. The Role of Law Enforcement .............................................................................................. 13
A. Search Warrants ........................................................................................................... 13
B. Pretext Conversation Recordings and Electronic Surveillance ....................................... 14
C. Social Worker Involvement in Interrogation ................................................................. 14
D. Medical Examinations and Forensic Photographs .......................................................... 14
1. Physical or Sexual Abuse or Neglect ........................................................................ 14
2. Death of a Child ..................................................................................................... 15
E. Forensic Analysis .......................................................................................................... 15
F. Polygraph Tests ............................................................................................................ 15
G. Hypnosis ...................................................................................................................... 16
H. Arrest ........................................................................................................................... 16
II. The Role of Child Protective Services................................................................................... 16
III. The Roles of Other Agencies ................................................................................................ 17
A. Action By Physician, Protective Services Worker or Law Enforcement Official .............. 18
B. Civil Child Protection Proceedings ................................................................................ 18
C. Multi-disciplinary Coordination ................................................................................... 19
IV. Grand Juries ................................................................................................................. 20
CHAPTER TWO: Charging Considerations
I. Offenses ............................................................................................................................. 21
A. Sexual Offenses ............................................................................................................ 21
1. Generally ............................................................................................................... 21
2. Mental State ........................................................................................................... 21
3. Conduct ................................................................................................................. 22
a. Force ................................................................................................................ 22
b. Penetration ...................................................................................................... 23
c. Abduction........................................................................................................ 24
d. Carnal Knowledge ............................................................................................ 24
e. Custody or Supervision of Child ....................................................................... 24
B. Physical Abuse: Cruelty to Children .............................................................................. 25
C. Pornography Offenses .................................................................................................. 26
1. Constitutionality .................................................................................................. 26
2. Elements ............................................................................................................... 26
D. Attempts ...................................................................................................................... 27
1. Specific Intent ........................................................................................................ 27
2. Overt Action .......................................................................................................... 28
E. Principals and Accessories ............................................................................................ 28
II. The Charging Documents .................................................................................................... 29
A. Specificity .................................................................................................................... 29
B. Number of Counts ........................................................................................................ 29
III. Time Considerations ........................................................................................................... 29
A. Statutes of Limitation ................................................................................................... 29
B. Speedy Trial and Due Process ........................................................................................ 30
IV. Lesser Included Offenses ..................................................................................................... 30
V. Use of Circumstantial Evidence in Child Physical Abuse and Homicide Cases ..................... 31
A. Generally ...................................................................................................................... 31
B. Corpus Delicti .............................................................................................................. 34
CHAPTER THREE: Pre-trial Motions
I. Defense Motions ................................................................................................................. 35
A. Discovery ..................................................................................................................... 35
1. Psychological/Psychiatric Records .......................................................................... 35
2. Physical Examination ............................................................................................ 35
3. Juvenile Records ..................................................................................................... 35
4. Discovery of Other Documents ............................................................................... 36
5. Exculpatory Evidence ............................................................................................. 37
B. Other Defense Motions ................................................................................................. 37
1. Request for a Bill of Particulars .............................................................................. 37
2. Motion for Continuance ......................................................................................... 37
3. Severance Motions ................................................................................................. 38
4. Motion to Admit Evidence of Victim’s Prior Sexual Conduct ................................... 38
5. Marital Privilege1 .................................................................................................. 39
6. Venue ..................................................................................................................... 40
II. Prosecution Motions ........................................................................................................... 40
A. Discovery ..................................................................................................................... 40
B. Prosecution Motions Concerning Prior Acts of the Defendant ....................................... 40
1. Prior Acts Involving the Same Victim ..................................................................... 40
a. Sexual Abuse ................................................................................................... 41
b. Physical Abuse ................................................................................................. 42
2. Prior Acts Involving Different Victims .................................................................... 42
a. Sexual Abuse ................................................................................................... 42
b. Physical Abuse ................................................................................................. 43
3. Computer Pornography .......................................................................................... 43
C. Other Prosecution Motions ........................................................................................... 43
CHAPTER FOUR: Trial
I. Commonwealth’s Case ........................................................................................................ 45
A. Voir Dire ....................................................................................................................... 45
B. Opening Statement ....................................................................................................... 45
C. Testimony of the Victim ............................................................................................... 45
1. Competency of Children ......................................................................................... 45
2. Uncorroborated Testimony of Victim ...................................................................... 47
D. Hearsay ........................................................................................................................ 47
1. Non-hearsay ........................................................................................................... 47
a. Prompt Complaint ........................................................................................... 48
b. Prior Consistent Statements ............................................................................. 49
2. Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule .............................................................................. 50
a. Excited Utterance ............................................................................................. 50
b. Statements Made for Purposes of Medical Diagnosis or Treatment .................... 51
3. Proof of Age ........................................................................................................... 52
4. Prosecution Recess to Consult with Victim ............................................................. 52
E. Expert Testimony ......................................................................................................... 52
1. Province of the Jury ................................................................................................ 53
2. Types of Testimony ................................................................................................ 53
3. Behavioral Evidence ............................................................................................... 53
F. Admissibility of Photographs ....................................................................................... 53
II. The Defense Case ................................................................................................................ 54
A. Character and Credibility of the Defendant ................................................................... 54
1. Character ............................................................................................................... 54
2. Impeachment ......................................................................................................... 54
B. Admissibility of Defense Expert Testimony .................................................................. 55
1. Hypnosis of the Defendant ..................................................................................... 55
2. Defendant Profile Evidence .................................................................................... 55
3. Victim Profile Evidence .......................................................................................... 56
III. Common Defenses .............................................................................................................. 56
IV. Rebuttal Evidence ............................................................................................................... 58
V. Closing Arguments ............................................................................................................. 58
VI. Sentencing .......................................................................................................................... 59
A. Generally ...................................................................................................................... 59
B. Sex Offender Registration ............................................................................................. 60
VII.Post-conviction Issues ......................................................................................................... 60
A. New Trial Based on Recantation .................................................................................... 60
B. Bond Pending Appeal .................................................................................................... 60
CHAPTER FIVE: Special Courtroom Procedures
I. Use of Electronic Equipment ............................................................................................... 61
A. Videotaped Testimony .................................................................................................. 61
B. Closed Trial ................................................................................................................. 61
C. Closed Circuit Television Testimony ............................................................................ 61
II. Other Special Procedures .................................................................................................... 62
Appendix A: Child Abuse Charging Statutes ............................................................................ 65
Murder ....................................................................................... VA Code §18.2-32
Murder of a pregnant woman .................................................. VA Code §18.2-32.1
Felony murder............................................................................ VA Code §18.2-33
Abduction with intent to defile .................................................. VA Code §18.2-48
Rape........................................................................................... VA Code §18.2-61
Carnal knowledge if a child between 13 and 15.......................... VA Code §18.2-63
Carnal knowledge of certain minors ........................................ VA Code §18.2-64.1
Forcible sodomy ...................................................................... VA Code §18.2-67.1
Object sexual penetration ........................................................ VA Code §18.2-67.2
Aggravated sexual battery ....................................................... VA Code §18.2-67.3
Sexual battery ......................................................................... VA Code §18.2-67.4
Attempts ................................................................................. VA Code §18.2-67.5
Definitions ........................................................................... VA Code §18.2-67.10
Pandering ................................................................................ VA Code §18.2-355
Crimes against nature .............................................................. VA Code §18.2-361
Incest ....................................................................................... VA Code §18.2-366
Taking indecent liberties with children .................................... VA Code §18.2-370
Indecent liberties by children; penalty ................................ VA Code §18.2-370.01
Taking indecent liberties with child by person
in custodial or supervisory relationship .............................. VA Code §18.2-370.1
Sex offenses prohibiting proximity to children ...................... VA Code §18.2-370.2
Causing or encouraging acts rendering children
delinquent, abused, etc.; penalty ............................................ VA Code §18.2-371
Abuse and neglect of children; penalty .................................. VA Code §18.2-371.1
Production, publication, sale, possession with intent to
distribute financing, etc., of sexually explicit items involving
children; presumption as to age; severability ....................... VA Code §18.2-374.1
Possession of child pornography........................................ VA Code §18.2-374.1:1
Seizure and forfeiture of property used in
connection with production of sexually explicit
items involving children ..................................................... VA Code §18.2-374.2
Use of communications systems to facilitate certain
offenses involving children ................................................. VA Code §18.2-374.3
Indecent exposure .................................................................... VA Code §18.2-387
Definitions .............................................................................. VA Code §18.2-390
Child Pornography Images Registry; maintenance; access ................. VA Code §18.2-390.3
Desertion and nonsupport ..............................................................VA Code §20-61
Cruelty and injuries to children; penalty .................................. VA Code §40.1-103
Appendix B: Child Abuse Procedural and Evidentiary Statutes ............................................. 79
Immunity of hospital or rescue squad personnel
for the acceptance of certain infants ................................ VA Code §8.01-226.5:2
Competency of witness ......................................................... VA Code §8.01-396.1
Purpose of the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry .......... VA Code §9.1-900
Persons for whom registration required ...................................... VA Code §9.1-901
Offenses requiring registration .................................................. VA Code §9.1-902
Registration procedures.............................................................. VA Code §9.1-903
Reregistration ............................................................................ VA Code §9.1-904
New residents and nonresident offenders; registration required ........ VA Code §9.1-905
Enrollment or employment at institution of
higher learning; information required ...................................... VA Code §9.1-906
Procedures upon a failure to register or reregister ....................... VA Code §9.1-907
Duration of registration requirement ......................................... VA Code §9.1-908
Relief from registration or reregistration .................................... VA Code §9.1-909
Removal of name and information from Registry ....................... VA Code §9.1-910
Registry maintenance ................................................................. VA Code §9.1-911
Registry access and dissemination; fees ...................................... VA Code §9.1-912
Public dissemination by means of the Internet ........................... VA Code §9.1-913
Automatic notification of registration to certain entities ....................... VA Code §9.1-914
Regulations ................................................................................ VA Code §9.1-915
Limitation on liability ............................................................... VA Code §9.1-916
Misuse of Registry information; penalty ..................................... VA Code §9.1-917
Severability; liberal construction ............................................... VA Code §9.1-918
Power of circuit court over juvenile offender ............................. VA Code §16.1-272
Mandatory HIV testing ................................................................ VA Code §18.2-62
Use of videotaped testimony ....................................................... VA Code §18.2-67
Admission of evidence (rape shield) .......................................... VA Code §18.2-67.7
Closed preliminary hearings .................................................... VA Code §18.2-67.8
Use of closed-circuit television testimony ................................. VA Code §18.2-67.9
Venue where any person transported for criminal sexual assault,attempted
criminal sexual assault, or purposes of unlawful sexual intercourse, crimes
against nature, indecent liberties with children ...................... VA Code §18.2-359
Providing false information or failing to provide registration information; penalty;
prima facie evidence ............................................................VA Code §18.2-472.1
Crime victim and witness rights ............................................ VA Code §19.2-11.01
Victim-witness assistance programs ......................................... VA Code §19.2-11.1
Crime victim’s right to nondisclosure of certain information;exceptions;
testimonial privilege .............................................................. VA Code §19.2-11.2
Establishment of victim-offender reconciliation program ................... VA Code §19.2-11.4
Arrest without a warrant in cases of assault and battery against
a household member .............................................................. VA Code §19.2-81.3
Speedy trial ............................................................................... VA Code §19.2-243
Joinder of defendants ............................................................ VA Code §19.2-262.1
Excluding witnesses ............................................................ VA Code §19.2-265.01
Provisions applicable to witnesses in criminal as well as
civil cases; obligation to attend; summons .............................. VA Code §19.2-267
Prompt complaint ................................................................. VA Code §19.2-268.2
Protecting the identity of witnesses ........................................VA Code §19.2-269.2
Admissibility of DNA evidence ...............................................VA Code §19.2-270.5
Evidence of abuse ...................................................................VA Code §19.2-270.6
Marital privilege ................................................................... VA Code §19.2-271.2
Victim Impact Statement ........................................................... VA Code §19.2-299
Victim Impact Statement ....................................................... VA Code §19.2-299.1
Mental evaluation of defendant ................................................. VA Code §19.2-300
Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry;
maintenance; access ............................................................ VA Code §19.2-390.1
Application for driver’s license; proof of completion of driver
education program; penalty .................................................... VA Code §46.2-323
Jailer to give notice of release to certain prisoners .................. VA Code §53.1-116.1
Department to give notice of release of certain prisoners .................. VA Code §53.1-160.1
Appendix C: Civil Child Abuse Statutes ................................................................................. 107
Autopsies .................................................................................. VA Code §32.1-285
Deaths of infants under 18 months of age ............................. VA Code §32.1-285.1
Definitions ............................................................................... VA Code §63.2-100
Acceptance of children by local department of social services .............. VA Code §63.2-910.1
Definitions ............................................................................ VA Code §63.2-1501
Establishment of Child-Protective Services Unit; duties .......... VA Code §63.2-1502
Duties of child protective services .......................................... VA Code §63.2-1503
Child-protective services differential response system .............. VA Code §63.2-1504
Investigations by local departments ....................................... VA Code §63.2-1505
Family assessments by local departments ............................... VA Code §63.2-1506
Muti-disciplinary cooperation ................................................ VA Code §63.2-1507
Physicians, nurses, teachers, etc., to report certain injuries to children; penalty
for failure to report .............................................................. VA Code §63.2-1509
Complaints by others of certain injuries to children ............... VA Code §63.2-1510
Complaints of abuse and neglect against school personnel ................. VA Code §63.2-1511
Immunity of person making report, etc., from liability ...................... VA Code §63.2-1512
Knowingly making false reports; penalties ............................. VA Code §63.2-1513
Retention of records in all reports; procedures regarding unfounded reports alleged
to be made in bad faith or with malicious intent .................. VA Code §63.2-1514
Central registry; disclosure of information ............................. VA Code §63.2-1515
Tape recording child abuse investigations ............................... VA Code §63.2-1516
Investigation procedures when school employee is subject of the complaint or report;
release of information in joint investigations .................... VA Code §63.2-1516.1
Authority to take child into custody ....................................... VA Code §63.2-1517
Authority to talk to child or sibling ........................................ VA Code §63.2-1518
Physician-patient and husband-wife privileges inapplicable ................. VA Code §63.2-1519
Photographs and X-rays of child; use as evidence .................... VA Code §63.2-1520
Testimony by child using two way closed-circuit television .... VA Code §63.2-1521
Admission of evidence of sexual acts with children ................ VA Code §63.2-1522
Use of videotaped statements of complaining witnesses as evidence .... VA Code §63.2-1523
Court may order certain examinations ................................... VA Code §63.2-1524
Prima facie evidence for removal of child custody ................... VA Code §63.2-1525
Appeals of certain actions of local departments ...................... VA Code §63.2-1526
Appendix D: Virginia Supreme Court Rules ........................................................................... 131
Joining offenses .......................................................................... Sup. Ct. R. 3A:6(b)
Trial together of more than one offense ..................................... Sup. Ct. R. 3A:10(c)
Discovery and Inspection ............................................................. Sup. Ct. R. 3A:11
Discovery ....................................................................................... Sup. Ct. R. 7C: 5
Discovery ........................................................................................ Sup. Ct. R. 8:15