Bird Celebrates Protecting Kids In Court

With a vote at the Iowa State Legislature, both chambers have officially passed Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird's constitutional amendment to protect kids in court.

Attorney General Bird's proposal follows a July 2024, Iowa Supreme Court ruling that eliminated decades of protections for Iowa kids in court. Iowa is currently the only state in the country that does not allow kids to safely testify against their abuser from a separate room. With Attorney General Bird's proposal, those longstanding protections for Iowa kids will be restored.

"Children shouldn't be forced to testify arm's length from the abusers who beat or molested them, and many kids can't," said Attorney General Bird. "It's hard enough for kids to talk to groups of people about good things that happen to them, let alone bad ones. And as a prosecutor, I know that restoring these protections is critical in preventing kids from getting too scared to testify, cases from getting dropped, and abusers from walking free. I am grateful to the Iowa legislature for passing this amendment to ensure kids are protected and abusers are brought to justice."

To become Iowa law, the constitutional amendment must pass two legislative sessions, separated by an election, before it goes on the ballot for voters to decide. This is the first legislative session that the amendment has passed.

Read the constitutional amendment here.

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AM April 23, 2025, 2:47 pm I remember the deposition. Sitting out in the hall beside the mother of the young man that attacked my daughhter... watching helplessly through the large window into the room where my daughter sat next to the prosecutor and a court appointed advocate. Her attacker was right across the table, seated next to his attorney, as they got the opportunity to ask my daughter questions. I was appalled to learn that the defendant had more rights than she did, as his victim. And again at trial, my baby girl was so brave as she testified against him. It was hard for her, but at the same time, the experience helped her find closure. Seeing the justice system at work was a reassurance. I realize not all children would be able to handle that kind of thing. So while they should never be forced to, and it's hard to put a child in the position to make a decision, but they should at least be offered the choice.

It was an even greater slap in the face when DHS refused to let my children testify and speak for themselves at court proceedings when they stole my children. It was "too traumatizing." So, instead of offering video or phone testimony, DHS spoke for them.

So, while I really appreciate that Brenna Bird is actively working to protect our children in criminal court proceedings, I think her next step should be to address the harm that family court causes in the lives of Iowa families and all the ways they violate our human rights.

News : Bird Celebrates Protecting Kids In Court

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