IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR PINELLAS AND PASCO COUNTIES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 86-2 SO68002


RE: LIMITATION OF CHILD VICTIM INTERVIEWS

WHEREAS it is the intent of the Florida Legislature to limit the number of interviews of a victim, under the age of sixteen, of child abuse and/or sexual abuse of law enforcement and for the purpose of discovery, it is therefore:


ORDERED, pursuant to Section 914.16 Florida Statues:


1. This Order shall pertain to the interview of victim of a violation of Section 794.011, Section 800.04, Section 827.03 or Section 827.04 Florida Statutes, who is under 16 years of age.


2. The number of interviews of such persons, absent exceptional circumstances, shall not exceed:

a. Two interviews for the purpose of determining whether or not a criminal act has occurred.

b. One pre-file or pre-indictment interview conducted by or on behalf of the Office of the State Attorney.

c. One discovery deposition conducted by the attorney for the person alleged to be responsible for the abuse complained of.

d. One pre-trial conference interview conducted by or on behalf of the Office of the State Attorney.

e. In the event the case is scheduled for trial, one pre-trial interview by or on behalf of the Office of the State Attorney.

3. All agencies involved in the investigation or prosecution of cases governed by this Order shall coordinate their investigations to comply with the provisions of this Order.


4. Any interested party may, by written motion made to the Court setting forth exceptional circumstances, request the right to conduct additional interviews. Upon the granting of such a request the Court shall limit the scope of such interviews and the place and manner in which the same shall be conducted to assure minimal impact on the victim.


5. "Interview", for the purpose of this Order, means any procedure in which the victim is required to provide a detailed account or demonstration of the nature and circumstances of the abuse, but does not include:


a. The history obtained for the purpose of medical or psychological diagnosis or treatment.

b. Any initial contact with the victim by law enforcement or the Florida Department of Health and
Rehabilitative Services, to assess the validity of the complaint or the need to take protective measures on behalf of the victim.

c. Any initial contact by an agent or employee of the school system.

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida,
this 20th day of January, 1986.

/s/ David F. Patterson
DAVID F. PATTERSON
CHIEF JUDGE