A bill to amend Rule 611 of the Federal Rules of Evidence to prohibit cross-examination by the accused of minor victims of sexual assault.
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in senate (Dec 8, 2016)
This bill amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to establish a procedure to prohibit pro se criminal defendants (defendants representing themselves without a lawyer) accused of sexual assault of a minor under age 18 from cross-examining the minor.
Upon application by the prosecutor, the minor, or the minor's representative, the defendant is prohibited from conducting such a cross-examination unless the court finds that it is necessitated by exceptional circumstances to protect the defendant's constitutional rights. The cross-examination of the minor shall instead be conducted by an attorney for the defendant under the court's supervision.
What just happenedDec 8, 2016
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in SenateDec 8, 2016
- Dec 8, 2016IntroReferral
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Judiciary Committee - Dec 8, 2016IntroReferral10000
Introduced in Senate