Credit: Igor Normann/Shutterstock.com Pa. High Court to Examine Use of Comfort Animals During Trial
Court watchers say the use of animals to comfort an anxious witness during court proceedings is likely increasing across the state.
December 16, 2020 at 11:00 AM
5 minute read
The use of so-called comfort animals can render testimony from a frightened, young witness in court. But, Pennsylvania's high court will consider in an upcoming argument: Can this rare accommodation be used in trial proceedings without prejudicially skewing the jury's sympathies?
The use of comfort animals in trial proceedings is gaining popularity across the country, but the question of what makes proper use is a matter of first impression for the Pennsylvania court system. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted allocatur Dec. 9 in Commonwealth v. Sheron Jalen Purnell to consider the issue.
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