918.16  Sex offenses; testimony of person under age 16 or person with mental retardation; courtroom cleared; exceptions.--In the trial of any case, civil or criminal, when any person under the age of 16 or any person with mental retardation as defined in ¹s. 393.063(41) 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, court reporters, and at the request of the victim, victim or witness advocates designated by the state attorney's office.

History.--s. 28, ch. 77-312; s. 5, ch. 90-211; s. 26, ch. 94-154.