Winning Without Words: Prosecuting Cases with Recanting or Nonverbal Victims
Even when a child victim recants or cannot speak in court, prosecutors can prevail. This workshop delivers practical investigative and courtroom strategies to anticipate and address recantation, support children throughout the process, and secure convictions when a child cannot or will not testify. Participants will leave equipped to turn silence into strength in the courtroom.
Suggested Audience: Prosecutors and law enforcement, with some value for other CAC/MDT members
Learning Objectives:
Recognize and address risk factors and dynamics that contribute to victim recantation.
Describe investigative approaches to minimize the impact of recantation on a case.
Apply creative, trial‑tested strategies to secure convictions when a child victim is nonverbal or unable to testify.
Speaker(s): Robert Peters and/or Kathleen Nolan