Form 10-571. Motion to permit testimony by alternative method.

STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF _______________ ________________ JUDICIAL DISTRICT IN THE CHILDREN’S COURT STATE OF NEW MEXICO ex rel. CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT No. __________ In the Matter of __________________________, (a) Child(ren), and Concerning __________________________, Respondent(s). MOTION TO PERMIT TESTIMONY BY ALTERNATIVE METHOD COMES NOW ________________,1 Movant, and requests leave for _______________, Child, to testify before the Court by alternative method. In support of this Motion, Movant states the following: 1. Movant’s relationship to Child is as follows: ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. 2. Child is expected to testify at the _____________________ (type of hearing) set before the Court on ______________ (date) at ______________ (time). 3. Movant seeks an order of the Court permitting Child to testify via the following alternative method2: _____________________________________________________________________. 4. Permitting Child to testify by alternative method is necessary to serve Child’s best interests or to enable Child to communicate with the Court.3 5. The reasons supporting testimony by alternative method are as follows: (select and explain your reasoning for all that apply) [ ] The nature of the hearing: ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. [ ] The age and maturity of Child: ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. [ ] The relationship of Child to the parties in the proceeding: ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. [ ] the nature and degree of mental or emotional harm that Child may suffer in testifying: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. [ ] other: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. 6. Other alternative methods reasonably available for protecting the interests of or reducing mental or emotional harm to Child include: ______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________. Movant, however, requests the particular method described in this Motion because ______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________. 7. Other means for protecting the interests of or reducing mental or emotional harm to Child without resort to an alternative method include: ______________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________. Movant, however, requests the particular method described in this Motion because ______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________. 8. This is an abuse and neglect proceeding where Child will need to testify about difficult and sensitive subject matter, including: ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. 9. Child’s proposed testimony is necessary to enable the Court to make a fully informed ruling in this proceeding. 10. The nature and degree of mental or emotional harm that Child may suffer if an alternative method is not used are as follows: ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. 11. Other reasons supporting testimony by alternative method include4: ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. 12. Child’s best interests and the Court’s interest in enabling Child to communicate with the Court outweigh the other parties’ interests implicated by Child’s testimony by alternative method.5 13. Movant requests the following additional measures to protect Child’s best interests and to enable Child to communicate with the Court: ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________.6 14. The additional measures requested in Paragraph 13 are necessary because ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. 15. Counsel for the other parties [concur] [do not concur] in the relief requested in this Motion. WHEREFORE, Movant respectfully requests the Court to enter an order as follows: 1. Finding and concluding that the alternative method of testimony requested in this Motion is necessary to serve Child’s best interests or enable Child to communicate with the Court; 2. Permitting Child to testify by alternative method at the ____________________ (type of hearing) set in this matter on ____________________________ (date); 3. Setting forth the following additional measures to protect Child’s best interests and to enable Child to communicate with the Court: ______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________; and 4. Awarding any other relief as the Court sees fit and just. Respectfully Submitted: By: _________________________________ Movant’s attorney CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE This is to certify that a true and accurate copy of the foregoing was mailed or faxed to all parties of record on this __________________ (date). ___________________________________