{"data":{"id":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-10a-10a-1-4-506","jurisdiction":"us-ok","citation":"Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 10A-1-4-506","heading":"Taking testimony of child age 12 or under in room","body":"other than courtroom - Recording.\n\nA. This section shall apply only to a proceeding brought under\n\nthe Oklahoma Children's Code in which a child at the time of the\n\ntestimony is alleged or adjudicated to be deprived, and shall apply\n\nonly to the testimony of that child or other child witness.\n\nB. 1. When appropriate facilities are reasonably available,\n\nthe court shall, on the motion of a party to the proceeding, order\n\nthat the testimony of the child be taken in a room other than the\n\ncourtroom and be televised by closed-circuit equipment in the\n\ncourtroom for review by:\n\na. the court,\n\nb. the finder of fact, and\n\nc. the parties to the proceeding.\n\n2. Only an attorney for each party, an attorney ad litem for\n\nthe child, a guardian ad litem for the child or other person whose\n\npresence would contribute to the welfare and well-being of the\n\nchild, and persons necessary to operate the equipment may be present\n\nin the room with the child during the testimony of the child.\n\n3. Only the attorneys for the parties may question the child.\n\nThe persons operating the equipment shall be confined to an adjacent\n\nroom or behind a screen or mirror that permits them to see and hear\n\nthe child during the testimony of the child, but does not permit the\n\nchild to see or hear them.\n\nC. 1. The court shall, on the motion of a party to the\n\nproceeding, order that the testimony of the child be taken outside\n\nthe courtroom and be recorded for showing in the courtroom before:\n\na. the court,\n\nb. the finder of fact, and\n\nc. the parties to the proceeding.\n\n2. Only those persons permitted to be present at the taking of\n\ntestimony under subsection B of this section may be present during\n\nthe taking of the child's testimony.\n\n3. Only the attorneys for the parties may question the child,\n\nand the persons operating the equipment shall be confined from the\n\nchild's sight and hearing. The court shall ensure that:\n\na. the recording is both visual and aural and is recorded\n\non film or videotape or by other electronic means,\n\nb. the recording equipment is capable of making an\n\naccurate recording, the operator of the equipment is\n\ncompetent, and the recording is accurate and has not\n\nbeen altered,\n\nc. every voice on the recording is identified, and\n\nd. each party to the proceeding is afforded an opportunity\n\nto view the recording before it is shown in the\n\ncourtroom, and a copy of a written transcript\n\ntranscribed by a licensed or certified court reporter\n\nis provided to the parties.\n\nD. If the testimony of a child is taken as provided by\n\nsubsection B or C of this section, the child shall not be compelled\n\nto testify in court during the proceeding.\n\nE. If the testimony of a child is taken as provided in\n\nsubsection B or C of this section, the attorney for any parent\n\nshall, on request, be permitted a recess of sufficient length to\n\nallow the attorney to consult with his or her client prior to\n\nconclusion of the testimony.","path":["OK Code","Title 10A"],"source_url":"https://www.oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os10A.pdf","current_through":"2026-08-14","vintage":"open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T18:32:36Z","sha256":"26ce7628a81acad290714b047355680e65e6d020f2046ba718bde8ae0cb8f08b","source_id":"us-ok","stale":false,"prev":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-10a-10a-1-4-505","next":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-10a-10a-1-4-507"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}