(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT. The legislature finds that it is necessary to provide child victims and witnesses with additional consideration and different treatment than that usually afforded to adults. The legislature intends, in this section, to provide these children with additional rights and protections during their involvement with the criminal justice or juvenile justice system. The legislature urges the news media to use restraint in revealing the identity of child victims or witnesses, especially in sensitive cases. (2) ADDITIONAL SERVICES. In addition to all rights afforded to victims and witnesses under s. 950.04 and services provided under s. 950.06 (1m), counties are encouraged to provide the following additional services on behalf of children who are involved in criminal or delinquency proceedings as victims or witnesses: (a) Explanations, in language understood by the child, of all legal proceedings in which the child will be involved. (b) Advice to the judge, when appropriate and as a friend of the court, regarding the child’s ability to understand proceedings and questions. The services may include providing assistance in determinations concerning the taking of depositions by audiovisual means under s. 908.08 or 967.04 (7) and (8) and the duty to expedite proceedings under s. 971.105. (c) Advice to the district attorney concerning the ability of a child witness to cooperate with the prosecution and the potential effects of the proceedings on the child. (d) Information about and referrals to appropriate social services programs to assist the child and the child’s family in coping with the emotional impact of the crime and the subsequent proceedings in which the child is involved. (3) PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY. In each county, the county board is responsible for the provision of services under this section. A county may seek reimbursement for services provided under this section as part of its program plan submitted to the department under s. 950.06. To the extent possible, counties shall utilize volunteers and existing public resources for the provision of these services.
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