Opinion ID: 2059706
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: court-ordered physical examinations of complaining witnesses

Text: The defendant contends that the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to order Mary to submit to an independent medical examination when there was reason to believe that she was still a virgin and that the alleged sexual assaults never occurred. This court has never considered whether a trial justice may compel a complaining witness in a criminal trial to undergo such a physical examination. A number of courts, however, have held that a trial justice has discretionary power to order a witness in a criminal trial to submit to a psychiatric examination. See, e.g., State v. Lovelace, 191 Conn. 545, 469 A.2d 391 (1983), cert. denied, 465 U.S. 1107, 104 S.Ct. 1613, 80 L.Ed.2d 142 (1984); State v. Butler, 27 N.J. 560, 143 A.2d 530 (1958); State v. Carlson, 392 N.W.2d 89 (S.D. 1986). This court in State v. Johnson, 119 R.I. 749, 383 A.2d 1012 (1978), upheld the court-ordered psychiatric examination of a criminal defendant who had pleaded the defense of insanity. Courts have also ordered parties to undergo blood tests in order to determine whether they had contracted an infectious disease such as AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). See People v. Cook, 143 A.D.2d 486, 532 N.Y.S.2d 940 (1988); People v. Thomas, 139 Misc.2d 1072, 529 N.Y.S.2d 429 (1988); Mosele v. Bures, 139 Misc.2d 409, 528 N.Y.S.2d 976 (1988); see also Haywood County v. Hudson, 740 S.W.2d 718 (Tenn. 1987). But see Guardianship of Anthony, 402 Mass. 723, 524 N.E.2d 1361 (1988) (reversing Family Court order directing medical staff at school for mentally retarded to conduct AIDS tests on residents allegedly engaging in sexual activity); Anne D. v. Raymond D., 139 Misc.2d 718, 528 N.Y.S.2d 775 (1988) (husband's allegation that wife engaged in extramarital affairs insufficient to support court-ordered physical examination and AIDS test). Although no court rule, statute, or case law in Rhode Island authorizes court-ordered physical examinations of complaining criminal witnesses, there are provisions on point in the civil area. Prior to 1987, the General Laws permitted a trial justice to require a reasonable physical examination of the injured party in personal injury cases. G.L. 1956 (1985 Reenactment) § 9-17-21 (repealed 1987). Rule 35(a) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure similarly allows the trial court to order a party to submit to a physical or mental examination if the physical or mental condition of that individual is in controversy and good cause has been shown. See Raymond v. Raymond, 105 R.I. 380, 385, 252 A.2d 345, 348 (1969); see also Fed.R. Civ.P. 35(a). We hold that a trial justice has discretionary power to require a witness in a criminal trial to submit to an independent physical examination only under the most compelling of circumstances. In situations in which the defendant has shown substantial need and justification and no violation of substantial rights will result, the trial justice has discretionary power to order the complainant to undergo a physical examination. The practice of granting physical examinations of criminal witnesses must be approached with utmost judicial restraint and respect for an individual's dignity. In determining whether to order an independent medical examination, the trial justice should consider (1) the complainant's age, (2) the remoteness in time of the alleged criminal incident to the proposed examination, (3) the degree of intrusiveness and humiliation associated with the procedure, (4) the potentially debilitating physical effects of such an examination, and (5) any other relevant considerations. In the case at bar defendant sought the trial court's permission to have a gynecological examination performed on a minor. It goes without saying that this type of examination is both intrusive and embarrassing, especially for children. Approximately four years had elapsed since the rapes allegedly took place. The defendant argues that an independent physical examination was necessary to show that Mary's hymen was still intact. The trial justice, however, correctly noted that the state, in order to sustain a conviction in sexual assault cases, need not prove that the victim's hymen had been ruptured. This court has stated that the testimony of a competent complaining witness about a violative act of sexual intercourse in itself is sufficient to prove penetration. State v. Pettis, 488 A.2d 704, 707 (R.I. 1985). There is no indication that Mary failed to comprehend forced sexual penetration. In light of the foregoing analysis, we conclude that the trial justice committed no abuse of discretion in denying defendant's request for an independent gynecological examination of the complainant.