Lawyers’ Question Repetition and Children’s Responses in Scottish Criminal Courts

This study examined the effects of repeated questions (n = 7,968) on fifty-six 5- to 17-year-olds’ testimony in child sexual abuse cases in Scottish criminal courts. We examined transcripts of direct- and cross-examinations, categorizing how lawyers asked repeated questions in court and how children...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Andrews, Samantha J. (Author) ; Lamb, Michael E. 1953- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2021
In: Journal of interpersonal violence
Year: 2021, Volume: 36, Issue: 1/2, Pages: 276-296
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
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Keywords:
prosecution direct-examination
defense cross-examination
Scotland
Child Sexual Abuse
repeated questions

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520 |a This study examined the effects of repeated questions (n = 7,968) on fifty-six 5- to 17-year-olds’ testimony in child sexual abuse cases in Scottish criminal courts. We examined transcripts of direct- and cross-examinations, categorizing how lawyers asked repeated questions in court and how children responded. Defense lawyers repeated more questions (39.6% of all questions asked) than prosecutors (30.6%) and repeated questions using more suggestive prompts (52% of their repeated questions) than prosecutors (18%) did. In response, children typically repeated or elaborated on their answers and seldom contradicted themselves. Self-contradictions were most often elicited by repeated suggestive prompts posed by defense lawyers. Younger children were asked more repeated questions than older children, but child age was not associated with the types of questions repeated or with how children responded to repetition. Questions repeated after delays elicited more self-contradictions than questions repeated immediately. Most repeated questions (69.2%) were repeated more than once, yet no “asked-and-answered” objections were ever raised. Overall, the findings suggested that lawyers frequently ask children “risky” repeated questions. Official judicial guidance and training is needed to help identify and limit the inappropriate repetition of questions. 
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