This is a key moment in the story, the judge reviewing the evidence so far, identifying what is missing, and ruling that a child witness must testify. The testimony is key to the rest of the story. So without this scene, it would be difficult to advance the narrative. This is a connective tissue scene and essential to moving the story forward. It also establishes the type of person the judge is and gives the audience an appreciation of what to expect from her in the courtroom.