Section 918.16(1), F.S. Except as provided in s. 918.16(2), in any civil or criminal trial, if any person under 16 or any person with an intellectual disability as defined in cited statute is testifying concerning any sex offense, the court shall clear the courtroom of all persons except parties to the cause and their immediate families or guardians, attorneys and their secretaries, officers of the court, jurors, newspaper reporters or broadcasters and court reporters, and at the request of the victim, victim or witness advocates designated by the state attorney’s office. Section 918.16(2), F.S. If the victim of a sex offense is testifying concerning that offense in any civil or criminal trial, the court shall clear the courtroom of all persons upon the request of the victim, regardless of the victim’s age or mental capacity, except that parties to the cause and their immediate families or guardians, attorneys and their secretaries, officers of the court, jurors, newspaper reporters or broadcasters and court reporters, and at the request of the victim, victim or witness advocates designated by the state attorney may remain in the courtroom. (Florida Office of the Attorney General // © March 9, 2023)
