What must be done with the record of a court interview with a child?

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Multiple Choice

What must be done with the record of a court interview with a child?

Recording the child’s interview creates a precise, verifiable record of exactly what was said and how the court considered it. The default rule is to record the interview, ensuring an accurate account for the judge, the parties, and any reviewing court. This helps prevent misquotation or misinterpretation of the child’s statements and supports fair, informed decision-making in sensitive custody matters. Parties may stipulate not to record or to seal the record, but absent such an agreement, the interview should be recorded. Destroying the record after the hearing or publishing it to the other party would undermine due process and confidentiality, respectively.

Recording the child’s interview creates a precise, verifiable record of exactly what was said and how the court considered it. The default rule is to record the interview, ensuring an accurate account for the judge, the parties, and any reviewing court. This helps prevent misquotation or misinterpretation of the child’s statements and supports fair, informed decision-making in sensitive custody matters. Parties may stipulate not to record or to seal the record, but absent such an agreement, the interview should be recorded. Destroying the record after the hearing or publishing it to the other party would undermine due process and confidentiality, respectively.

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