Opinion ID: 2318093
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Substantial Need Required for Implementation of Special Accommodation

Text: Gomez argues that the trial judge committed plain error in permitting S.C. to hold a teddy bear during her testimony. At oral argument, Gomez also argued that the trial judge should not have allowed the jury to see S.C. walk to the witness stand with the teddy bear. The General Assembly has recognized that child witnesses differ from adult witnesses in important respects. In the Child Victims and Witnesses subchapter of title 11, chapter 51 of the Delaware Code, the General Assembly stated its legislative intent as follows: The General Assembly finds that it is necessary to provide child victims and witnesses with additional consideration and different treatment than that usually required for adults. It is therefore the intent of the General Assembly to provide each child who is involved in a criminal proceeding within the Superior Court with certain fundamental rights and protections. [41] In Czech v. State, [42] we excerpted that statement of legislative intent and explained: In the absence of extraordinary circumstances. . ., a trial judge should not make special accommodations sua sponte. We hold that such special accommodations should only be made if it has been determined, upon motion, that the requesting party has demonstrated a substantial need for their implementation. [43] Here, the trial judge recognized that permitting S.C. to walk to the witness stand in the presence of the jury might unduly elicit sympathy. It appears that the trial judge addressed that risk and properly provided for S.C. to walk to the witness stand before the jury entered the courtroom. The trial judge also properly allowed S.C.'s mother to serve as a support person after the prosecutor moved, and demonstrated a substantial need, for such relief. It would have been appropriate for the trial judge also to have required the prosecutor to demonstrate a substantial need for the additional special accommodation of the teddy bear. If the State wishes to make special accommodations at Gomez's new trial, the trial judge should permit them only if he determines, upon the State's motion, that the State has demonstrated a substantial need for their implementation.