do minors need to have an attorney in illinois when questioned by police

by Turner Willms 9 min read

In most cases, police officers do not have to provide a lawyer for a juvenile before they begin questioning. They do not need to wait until a lawyer is present. But, they must ask the juvenile if they want to have a lawyer before they can begin asking questions.Jul 8, 2022

Can police question a minor without parents consent in Illinois?

In the state of Illinois, police can question a juvenile without a parent or legal guardian present. However, the police must make a reasonable attempt to get in touch with the child's parent or legal guardian after an arrest.

What age can a child be interviewed by police?

10 yearsFrom the age of 10 years, a child can be arrested and interviewed by the police, or asked to attend a voluntary interview. The law requires that children have an appropriate adult with them.

Can police interview your child without present?

If no adult is present the police may interview the child under certain circumstances. It may be the case that delaying an interview would mean that further crime could be committed such as harm to another person. If this is the case then the police may well interview the child in the presence of an appropriate adult.

Can a minor be charged with a felony in Illinois?

If your minor child has been charged with a felony offense, he or she may be at risk of being tried as an adult. If the prosecution asks for a juvenile case to be heard in adult court, the judge will weigh several factors to determine whether or not this is appropriate.

Can a 14 year old be interviewed by police?

Police are free to approach and question any child who may have witnessed or been the victim of a crime, just as they can contact and interview an adult. Police can question a child without a parent present and are not required to obtain permission from a parent before questioning the child.

Can police interview a child at school?

Police Interviews A child or young person should not be interviewed or arrested at school if such action can possibly be avoided. If it is essential to conduct the interview at school, it should be done only with the consent, and in the presence, of the Head or the Head's nominee.

Do juveniles have different rights regarding interview and interrogation procedures than adults?

A juvenile has both a right to counsel and a privilege against self-incrimination in juvenile delinquency proceedings. In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 32-55 (1979). A juvenile may waive his Fifth Amendment rights and consent to interrogation.

Can police force you to come in for questioning?

No, not unless the police are arresting you. If the police want to question you about a crime that you might be witness to or are suspected having a part in then, they must summon you to the police station in writing.

Can a school question my child without my consent?

Generally, school administrators can question students at school without a parent or guardian being present. The school district may have a policy that requires the school to first contact a parent, but each school district is different so it is important that you check the actual policy.

How long can a juvenile be detained in Illinois?

(c) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a), (d), or (e), no minor shall be detained in a county jail or municipal lockup for more than 12 hours, unless the offense is a crime of violence in which case the minor may be detained up to 24 hours.

What is the sentence for a juvenile charged with assault?

Punishment for Juvenile Simple Assault jail time (to be served in a juvenile facility or, in rare cases, an adult institution) community service. probation. restitution (repayment) to the victim for medical bills, lost wages, or other expenses)

Is 17 considered a minor in Illinois?

Age of Majority in Illinois Children become adults in the eyes of the law at age 18 in most states, including Illinois.

Can a child be questioned without a parent at school UK?

Generally, school administrators can question students at school without a parent or guardian being present. The school district may have a policy that requires the school to first contact a parent, but each school district is different so it is important that you check the actual policy.

Can police question a minor without parents in New York?

Children under the age of 18 are subjected to the same conditions as adults with regard to pre-arraignment detention. In New York State, this may mean up to or exceeding 24 hours in custody subjected to interrogation, potentially without a parent or guardian present.

Can police question a minor without parents in California?

In California, the police may generally question minors without their parents' consent. But, as noted above, a juvenile interrogation must be voluntary. If a child asks to have a parent present and the request is denied, a judge may decide the child's participation was not voluntary.

Can a parent refuse a forensic interview?

Q: Can parents refuse to let the investigator interview their children, or insist on being present during the interview? A: If it's in your own home, you can, but investigators are also required by law to interview your children.

What happens to a juvenile once they are charged?

Once a juvenile is charged, two things can happen. The juvenile can be released to their parent or legal guardian. Or, they can be held in a secure facility to wait for the outcome of their court case.

Who is considered a juvenile in the criminal legal system?

Someone is a juvenile if they violated or attempted to violate any law before they turned 18 years old. In most cases when a juvenile is charged with a crime, their trial will take place in the juvenile court system.

Who can access, review and copy arrest records?

Law enforcement records can also be seen and copied by juveniles, their parents, legal guardians, and lawyers. The Department of Juvenile Justice may see reports of criminal history and sex offenses.

How long can a juvenile be held?

The juvenile's age determines how long police can hold them under arrest. If the juvenile is under 12 years old, police can only hold them for 6 hours. If the juvenile is between 12-16 years old, they can be held for: 1 12 hours for a non-violent crime, or 2 Up to 24 hours for a violent crime.

What is a youth officer?

A youth officer is just a regular officer that can (and often does) collect evidence against the juvenile. But they have two additional roles. First, the officer steps in as a responsible adult to look out for the interests of the juvenile.

Can juvenile detention facilities see records?

Juvenile detention facilities can sometimes see records. This happens when the juvenile was first in custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice and is then held in a county juvenile detention facility.

Can a juvenile be released from a detention center?

The juvenile can be released to their parent or legal guardian. Alternatively, they can be held in a secure facility to wait for the outcome of their court case. Illinois law states that there must be a "sight and sound barrier" between juveniles and adults in a detention center.

What happens when a minor is charged with a crime in Illinois?

When a minor is charged with a crime in Illinois, he or she may be diverted to the juvenile justice system. Whether the minor faces the charges in adult court or through the juvenile justice process depends on the age of the minor and the crime committed. Youth 15 years and younger will be in juvenile court and youth 16 years and older will start in juvenile court but may be moved to adult court if it is a very serious crime, such as first-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, or aggravated battery with a firearm. It is important to remember that youth in the juvenile justice system do have rights. Indeed, it is important to understand some of the most substantive rights youth and parents have when navigating the juvenile justice system in Illinois.

What rights do children have when they are arrested?

Along with an attorney, your child also has the right to talk to a parent or guardian, and a parent or guardian also has the right to be present when the child is questioned. As above, your child should refuse to answer questions until both you and the attorney are there. Instruct your child that if he or she ever gets arrested the police should be instructed to call you as soon as possible and there should be no questions answered until you get there.

Should a child have an attorney?

Just like adults, children in the juvenile justice system have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford a lawyer the court will provide a defense attorney. Immediately after being arrested your child should demand to talk to an attorney and say nothing else. Attorneys can help protect your child’s rights and help the case move expediently. Getting an attorney is not a sign of guilt and it is extremely important to exercise this right by contacting a knowledgeable juvenile law attorney as soon as possible.

Do juveniles have the right to know what charges they are being charged with?

Young people in the juvenile justice system also have the right to know the charges against them if they are arrested. They should ask the police what they are being charged with when they are arrested.

The Fifth and Sixth Amendments

The Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination (e.g., when saying something might imply or confirm that the speaker is guilty), and the Sixth protects the right to have legal counsel, to have a parent or lawyer present during questioning, and to refuse to speak with law enforcement.

When a Minor Is a Victim or a Witness

Laws surrounding when police can question a minor who is a witness to a crime or who is a victim are not always detailed. In these cases, police can speak with the minor without parental approval, although the protections from the Fifth and Sixth amendments still stand.

When a Minor Is a Suspect

Things get a little more detailed when the minor is actually detained as a suspect. They also get more dangerous for the minor as what they say can be admissible in court.

What is interrogation of minors?

Interrogation of Minors-Presence of Parents or Guardians

Which states require parents to be present to interrogate a 17 year old?

And we found six states with laws requiring in one way or another that a parent or guardian be present before police can interrogate a 16 or 17 year old (Colorado, Hawaii, Missouri, Maine, North Carolina, and North Dakota).

How old do you have to be to be in custody in NC?

The rule covers children under 18 years of age (15 MRSA § 3003). North Carolina. North Carolina law requires that any child in custody must be advised prior to questioning that he has the right to have a parent, guardian, or custodian present during the questioning (NC ST § 7B-2101 (a), and NC ST § 7A-595 (a)).

How old do you have to be to be arrested in Maine?

The rule covers children under age 18. Maine. When a child has been arrested, no law enforcement officer may question him unless the child's legal custodian is present or has given permission for the questioning to occur without his presence (15 MRSA § 3203-C2).

What is the legal age for a child in custody in North Dakota?

North Dakota requires that counsel be provided for any child in custody if he is not represented by his parents, guardian, or custodian (ND ST 27-20-26). The law covers children under 18 years old who are unmarried or not in military service. It also covers a child under age 20 for delinquent acts committed while under the age of 18 (ND ST 27-20-02).

What is a violation by the police?

A violation by the police bars the admission of any statement the child makes. If the police have made reasonable efforts to notify the parents or other legally responsible person, their absence at the time of questioning does not automatically bar the admission of any statement the child makes.

What is the Alabama law on child custody?

Alabama law gives children the right to communicate with their attorney, parent, or guardian before being questioned while in custody. (ARJP Rule 11). The rule applies to children under 18 years of age (Burks vs State, 600 So 2d 374 Ala. Comm. App 1991).

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