Prerecorded Videotaped Testimony of Child: The court may order that the testimony of the child be taken outside the courtroom and be recorded for showing in the courtroom before the court, the finder of fact, and the parties to the proceeding. On what basis is this allowed?

• A. On the motion of a party to the proceeding
• B. By the judge's discretion
• C. Only with guardian consent
• D. Only if the child is unavailable

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that this remedy is triggered by a party’s request. The court can order that a child's testimony be taken outside the courtroom and prerecorded for later viewing, but the process starts when a party to the proceeding files a motion requesting it. The judge then evaluates the motion and decides, based on the child’s welfare and the needs of the case, whether to allow the prerecorded testimony. It isn’t required that the guardian consent, and it isn’t limited to situations where the child is unavailable—the request can be made whenever a party believes prerecorded testimony would be appropriate.