Opinion ID: 1989023
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Failure to Interview the Child in Chambers

Text: Norma argues that the trial court erred in failing to conduct an in camera interview with S.B. because the child's account of the Florida incident was a key point in the case. Dr. Blechman acknowledged that S.B. told him her father had struck her, although he chose not to believe her. Thus, Norma contends the in camera interview could have uncovered the truth, and it is possible that it might have changed the outcome of the case. We note that this argument is not supported by any citation to legal authority as required by Supreme Court Rule 341(e)(7) (188 Ill.2d R. 341(e)(7)). Section 604(a) of the Act provides that the court may interview the child in chambers to ascertain the child's wishes as to the custodian and as to visitation. 750 ILCS 5/604(a) (West 2002). That statute, however, provides no specific authority to conduct in camera interviews on other subjects. Norma argues that the court should have questioned S.B. on the Florida incident. She was not prevented, however, from calling the child as a witness on that subject. In any event, the standard of review on the decision to conduct an in camera interview is abuse of discretion. In re Marriage of Johnson, 245 Ill.App.3d 545, 554, 185 Ill.Dec. 617, 614 N.E.2d 1302 (1993). The trial court declined to conduct an in camera interview of S.B. because of its concern that she would be put in the position of blaming herself for the outcome. In an unpublished portion of its opinion, the appellate court agreed that risk was a meaningful one. The court also noted: Further, there was other evidence in this case related to the issue of whether respondent struck the child and under what circumstances. Additionally, the prejudice to petitioner in the trial court's failing to ask the child about the alleged incident is merely speculative as we cannot assume the child would have answered in a manner favorable to petitioner. The bottom line is that the trial court clearly expressed its concern on the record in striking the balance in favor of not conducting the interview. We cannot say the balance struck by the trial court was an abuse of discretion. We agree with the appellate court on this issue and hold that the failure to conduct an interview in chambers was not an abuse of discretion.