The competence of young children to testify in legal proceedings

Young children testify as witnesses with increasing frequency. This article describes the law regarding children's competence to testify. The article focuses on: (1) the elements of testimonial competence, including perception, memory, understanding the difference between the truth and a lie, and understanding the duty to tell the truth in court; (2) the requirement of personal knowledge of relevant facts; and (3) the requirement that the child take a religious oath or a secular affirmation.