Testifying in court can be an intimidating experience for adults.
Just imagine the stress and anxiety it causes a child who must testify in criminal
court, especially in cases of physical or sexual abuse.
The District Attorneys Office attempts to reduce a child’s stress and anxiety by
taking the child witness to Court School before they must appear at a hearing. Court
School is designed to reduce a child’s fears about testifying and increase their
understanding of their role in the legal process. This helps improve their credibility
and competence as a witness. Court School is a collaborative effort of the Child Abuse Network, The DA’s Office and the Tulsa County Bar Association.
The goal of Court School is to teach children about their rights and responsibilities
in court so that they are able to communicate evidence without being traumatized
by the process.