Sec. 11. (a) During court proceedings a court shall provide safeguards necessary to minimize the contact of the victim of an offense or delinquent act with:

(1) a defendant accused of the offense or a juvenile accused of committing the delinquent act; and

Terms Used In Indiana Code 35-37-4-11

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
(2) the relatives and friends of:

(A) a defendant accused of the offense; or

(B) a juvenile accused of committing the delinquent act.

     (b) The safeguards required under subsection (a) may include courthouse waiting areas for victims that are separated from those waiting areas specified for defendants, juveniles alleged to be delinquent children, and the relatives and friends of accused persons.

     (c) A county is not required under this section, or by mandate of a court, to expend any funds to change the physical configuration of a courthouse in the county to meet the requirements of this section.

As added by P.L.36-1990, SEC.10.