Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 77.djvu/624

 592

PUBLIC LAW 88-241-DEC. 23, 1963

[77 STAT.

pregnancy or within two years after the birth of the child, or within one year after the putative father has ceased making contributions for the support of the child. The time during which the defendant is absent from the jurisdiction shall be excluded from the computation of the time within which complaint may be filed. § 16-2344. Commencement of proceeding; complaint An unmarried woman who is at least four months pregnant or who has been delivered of a child born out of wedlock, or a married woman who is at least four months pregnant with a child, which if born alive, may be born out of wedlock, or who has been delivered of a child born out of wedlock and who was not living with nor cohabiting with her husband during the period of time in which the child could have been conceived, may appear before the Corporation Counsel for the District of Columbia or his assistant at the Juvenile Court and accuse a man of being the father of her child and request his arrest. In case of death, disability, or incompetence of the mother, the complaint may be made by the custodian, guardian, or next friend of the child. The complainant shall be examined under oath by the Corporation Counsel or his assistant to determine the validity of the accusation. If, upon examination, there appears reasonable cause to believe that the accused person is the father of the child in question, the complaint shall be reduced to writing, verified by the complainant, and filed with the clerk of the court. The verified complaint may be introduced in evidence to impeach the complaining witness in any subsequent proceedings therein. § 16-2345. Apprehension of accused Upon the filing of a complaint pursuant to section 16-2344, the case shall be calendared forthwith for preliminary hearing. The clerk of the court shall issue a summons requiring the accused to appear in court on a day certain for that purpose, or, if deemed necessary by the court, a warrant for the arrest of the defendant may be issued, directed to the United States marshal or the Chief of Police or any other member of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, requiring the accused to be arrested and brought before the court. § 16-2346. Bond; commitment; right to jury trial The court may require the person accused to enter into bond with surety in a sum not to exceed $2,500, guaranteeing his appearance on the date set for hearing or trial. If the defendant fails to appear, the security for his appearance shall be forfeited and shall be applied toward the siipport of the child if so ordered by the court. If the defendant fails to post bond fixed by the court he shall forthwith be committed to the District Jail, there to remain until the date set for hearing, or until he enters into the required bond or otherwise is discharged by due process of law. In all prosecutions under this subchapter, the defendant is entitled to, but may waive, trial by jury. A final hearing may not take place until after the birth of the child. § 16-2347. Blood tests When it is relevant to the prosecution or defense of an illegitimacy action, the court may direct that the mother, child, and the defendant submit to one or more blood tests to determine whether or not the defendant can be excluded as being the father of the child, but the results of the test may be admitted as evidence only in cases where the defendant does not obj ect to its admissibility. § 16-2348. Exclusion of public Upon the trial of proceedings pursuant to this subchapter, the court may exclude the general public, and shall do so at the request of either party.

�