(1) Upon motion and hearing in camera, the trial court may order that the testimony of a child under the age of sixteen (16) that an unlawful sexual act, contact, intrusion, penetration or other sexual offense was committed upon him or her, or that he or she witnessed its perpetration upon another child, be taken outside of the courtroom and shown in the courtroom by means of closed circuit television, upon a finding based on specific behavioral indicators described in Section 13-1-411, that there is a substantial likelihood that the child will suffer traumatic emotional or mental distress if compelled to testify in open court.
(2) The motion may be filed by the child, his attorney, parent, legal guardian or guardian ad litem, or any party to the case. The court may also raise the matter on its own motion.
(3) Upon stipulation of the parties, the court may appoint a person who is qualified as an expert and who has dealt with the child in a therapeutic setting concerning the offense to aid in formulating methods of questioning the child and to assist the court in interpreting the answers of the child.
(4) Closed circuit television testimony may be taken by any method not inconsistent with the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure and the Mississippi Uniform Criminal Rules of Circuit Court Practice. After a determination that the defendant’s presence would cause a substantial likelihood of traumatic emotional or mental distress to the child, the judge may exclude the defendant from the room where the testimony is taken. In any case in which the defendant is so excluded, arrangements must be made for the defense attorney to be in continual contact with the defendant by any appropriate private electronic or telephonic method throughout the questioning. The defendant and the jury must be able to observe the demeanor of the child witness at all times during the questioning.
(5) The court shall make specific findings of fact, on the record, as to the basis for its rulings under this section.
(6) All parties must be represented by counsel at any taking of any testimony under this section.
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