Rhode Island General Laws 11-37-8.5. Identification of victims of child molestation sexual assault
(a) All court records which concern the identity of a victim of child molestation sexual assault shall be confidential and shall not be made public.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 11-37-8.5
- Arraignment: A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Victim: means the person alleging to have been subjected to sexual assault. See Rhode Island General Laws 11-37-1
(b) Every agency of state or local government shall protect the confidentiality of documents containing the identity of victims of child molestation sexual assault.
(c) A defendant charged with child molestation sexual assault may make application to the trial court for an order of disclosure of identifying information concerning the child victim in order to prepare his or her defense. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the disclosure of the victim’s identity to the defendant at the time of his or her arraignment, provided, that the defendant shall make no disclosure of the victim’s identity other than to his or her attorney and others directly involved in the preparation of his or her defense. Any disclosure by a defendant other than permitted in this section shall constitute contempt.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 380, § 2.