Child-Witness and Defendant Credibility: Child Evidence Presentation Mode and Judicial Instructions

Child-witness presentation mode, judicial instructions, and deliberation stage effects on juror ratings of child witness and defendant were investigated. Perceptions of the impact of presentation mode on witnesses, juror task, and justice also were explored. Participants (N = 108) viewed a simulated child sexual abuse trial videotape. Overall child-witness credibility was significantly more positive with videodeposition or court-given child evidence than with videolink. The defendant was seen as more definitely guilty when child testimony was court given than by videodeposition or videolink. Presentation mode also significantly influenced perceived impact on child witness, defendant case, and juror task. Judicial instructions interacted with presentation mode to affect perceptions of impact on child witness and juror task. Findings are discussed in relation to previous research, and implications for future research and practice are outlined.