What is the youngest age a child can testify in a Pennsylvania family court?

Answer 1

Rules in Family Court are looser than in criminal courts and the minimum "age of reason" is usually set at about 7 years of age. Family Court judges customarily try to keep the affected children out of court actions altogether since they don't want them being used as "pawns" in the parents battles. However the decision to call them for testimony, and how much 'weight' to give to their testimony or desires, lies completely with the presiding judge.

Answer 2

Rules in Family Court are looser than in criminal courts where the minimum "age of reason" is usually about 7 years of age. Family Court judges customarily try to keep the affected children out of court actions altogether since they don't want them being used as "pawns" in the parents battles. However the decision to call them, and to how much 'weight' to give to their testimony, lies completely with the presiding judge.

Answer 3

Whether or not a child is allowed to testify in Family Court is not a matter of statute. It is entirely up to the discretion fo the presiding judge. Most (not all - but most) Family Court judges try their best to keep the children out of family court proceedings because it can't do anything but destroy their regards and respect for one, or the other, parent.

Answer 4

Though a court will rarely talk to a child younger than 7, it is possible children as young as 5 or 6 can be talked to by the court. Children 10 and over are generally always heard in custody cases and are allowed to talk to the court about their preference. Whenever a child's preference is heard, it is in the absence of the parents.

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Answer 5

16