State v. Howland

The question presented is whether a defendant who allegedly abused a child, and subsequently reported the act in “good faith,” may be denied immunity from criminal prosecution for the underlying act of abuse under the immunity provisions of the New Hampshire Child Protection Act, RSA 169-C:31 (Supp. 1983). We hold that RSA 169-C:31 (Supp. 1983) extends immunity from criminal prosecution solely to the “making of a report” of abuse, as required by RSA 169-C:29 (Supp. 1983), by those persons “having reason to suspect” child abuse or child neglect, and does not immunize the criminal conduct…