EVIDENCE Securing Attendance of Witnesses and Production and Preservation of Evidence: Allow Depositions of Physicians to Preserve Testimony in Criminal Child Abuse and Molestation Proceedings

The Act expands the scope of the parties’ right to take depositions of witnesses in criminal matters when a defendant has been charged with an offense of child molestation, aggravated child molestation, or physical or sexual abuse of a child. The Act permits counsel for the defendant or the prosecuting attorney to preserve by deposition the testimony of any physician whose testimony is relevant to the crime charged. Upon motion by either party, the court having jurisdiction to try the charged offense may order the taking of a deposition.