Closing the Courtroom

When a child testifies, the court may order all persons excluded from the courtroom except for the adult attendant, including members of the press, who do not have a direct interest in the case. Such an order may be made if the court determines that requiring the child to testify in open court would cause substantial psychological harm to the child, or would result in the child’s inability to communicate effectively. The order must be narrowly tailored to serve the Government’s specific compelling interest.