Subdivision 1. Child abuse and violent crime cases. Notwithstanding any other law, a prosecuting witness under 18 years of age in a case involving child abuse as defined in section 630.36, subdivision 2, a crime of violence, as defined in section 624.712, subdivision 5, or an assault under section 609.224 or 609.2242, may choose to have in attendance or be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other supportive person, whether or not a witness, at the omnibus hearing or at the trial, during testimony of the prosecuting witness. If the person so chosen is also a prosecuting witness, the prosecution shall present on noticed motion, evidence that the person's attendance is both desired by the prosecuting witness for support and will be helpful to the prosecuting witness. Upon that showing the court shall grant the request unless information presented by the defendant or noticed by the court establishes that the support person's attendance during the testimony of the prosecuting witness would pose a substantial risk of influencing or affecting the content of that testimony.
Subd. 2. Other cases. Notwithstanding any other law, a prosecuting witness in any case involving criminal sexual conduct as defined in sections 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, and 609.345, or sexual extortion in section 609.3458 may choose to be accompanied by a supportive person, whether or not a witness, at the omnibus or other pretrial hearing. If the supportive person is also a witness, the prosecution and the court shall follow the motion procedure outlined in subdivision 1 to determine whether or not the supportive person's presence will be permitted.
1985 c 286 s 23; 1986 c 463 s 21; 1993 c 326 art 6 s 24; 1995 c 259 art 3 s 26; 1Sp2021 c 11 art 4 s 31
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 625 - 634 — Criminal Procedure; Peace Officers; Privacy Of Communications
Chapter 631 — Criminal Trial; Conviction; Sentence
Section 631.02 — Continuances For Sufficient Cause.
Section 631.021 — Criminal Trials; Timing Objectives For Case Disposition.
Section 631.035 — Joinder Of Defendants.
Section 631.04 — Excluding Minors From Attendance At Criminal Trials; Duty Of Officer; Penalty.
Section 631.045 — Excluding Spectators From Courtroom.
Section 631.046 — Authorizing Presence Of Support Person For Minor Prosecuting Witness.
Section 631.06 — Questions Of Law And Fact; Decision Making; Court And Jury.
Section 631.07 — Order Of Final Argument.
Section 631.09 — Jury Deliberation; Accommodations.
Section 631.12 — Jury Discharged Without Verdict.
Section 631.13 — Conditions Under Which Second Trial Permitted.
Section 631.14 — Verdict For Lesser Included Offense.
Section 631.15 — Verdict; Multiple Defendants.
Section 631.17 — Court Administrator To Read Verdict To Jury.
Section 631.20 — Hearing; Sentence.
Section 631.21 — Dismissal Of Action.
Section 631.22 — Jury Challenges.
Section 631.40 — Judgment On Conviction; Judgment Roll.
Section 631.412 — Same Sex Escort For Inmates Being Transferred.
Section 631.425 — Releasing Offenders For Employment.
Section 631.43 — Sentence When Punishment Not Prescribed.
Section 631.44 — Recognizance To Keep Peace.
Section 631.45 — Proceedings Required If Breach Of Recognizance To Keep Peace.
Section 631.46 — Sentence Served In Another County When No Facility Available In County Of Offense.
Section 631.461 — Imprisonment; County Jail; Alternatives.
Section 631.471 — Protecting Inmates; Certain Forfeitures Abolished.
Section 631.48 — Sentence; Costs Of Prosecution.
Section 631.51 — Certified Copies Of Indictment Or Complaint Furnished To Immigration Officers.
Section 631.52 — Effect Of Certain Convictions On Custody And Parenting Time Rights.