when questioning a minor criminally do you have to have an attorney or parent present

by Carroll Walsh 8 min read

-If the police want to question a minor who is 15 years old or younger, and they are being charged with a murder or a sex offense, an attorney must be present. -If a minor, under the age of 18, is being questioned for any crime, they must be read a simplified version of their Miranda rights.

Full Answer

Can the police question a minor without a parent or lawyer?

May 22, 2018 · In August of 2016, the new measures were signed into law. Under the new law, the police have certain limitations when it comes to the questioning and interrogation of minors.-If the police want to question a minor who is 15 years old or younger, and they are being charged with a murder or a sex offense, an attorney must be present.-If a minor, under the age of 18, is …

How long can the police hold a minor for questioning?

Oct 31, 2019 · If the child is between the ages of 12 and 18, law enforcement can detain the minor for up to 12 hours if the alleged crime was a non-violent offense. In instances in which the alleged crime was a violent offense, law enforcement can detain a minor for up to 24 hours. Questioning Without an Attorney or Parent Present. In most cases, law ...

Can a minor have a lawyer during an in-custody investigation?

If the juvenile then requests the parent and/or attorney, the questioning must be suspended until the parent or attorney is brought in.” “A minor can waive his right to have counsel or a parent present during an in-custody investigation.” www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-police-a...

Can police question a child who has witnessed a crime?

Jul 06, 2017 · The right to remain silent can be exercised by children, and children also have the right to have an attorney present during questioning. Parental Permission. Parents can often get upset when they learn that their child was questioned by law …

Can juveniles be tried as adults?

“All states have laws that permit juvenile offenders to be tried as adults. This may be done in exceptional cases that usually involve a serious crime such as murder or in situations where the juvenile is a repeat offender. Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia have no age restrictions for transferring a juvenile offender to adult court.” criminal.lawyers.com/juvenile-law/when-...

Can a minor call their parents?

The minor can be detained so the police may conduct an investigation. During such an initial detention, the police are not required to let a minor call their parents. However, if the minor is in custody (i.e. arrest), then things change. In such a case, they have the right to call their parents and have their parents present during questioning.

Can police question a minor without their parent?

During a roadside stop, “The police can question a minor without their parent (s) present as the minor is not in custody. For example, when an officer reasonably believes that a minor has violated the law. The minor can be detained so the police may conduct an investigation. During such an initial detention, the police are not required ...

Why did the Supreme Court deny the request to throw out the boy's statements to the police?

The Supreme Court held that it was improper to deny the request to throw out the boy's statements to the police because he didn't receive proper Miranda warnings. The Court reasoned that because of their relative immaturity and lack of experience, children "cannot be viewed simply as miniature adults."

How old was the boy when he was arrested for burglary?

The case the Court ruled upon involved a 13 year-old boy possibly linked to two burglaries. A police officer went to his school, removed him from class and placed him in a conference room with the door closed and two school administrators present.

What is the phrase "you have the right to remain silent"?

Everyone knows the iconic phrase "you have the right to remain silent." It's usually the first thing that police tell someone when taking them into custody, and it makes up one of the several rights - commonly known as "Miranda rights" - that people have when in police custody.

Can you get custody without arrest?

Obviously, an arrest constitutes police custody, but other situations can amount to custody even without a formal arrest.

What to do if you have questions about police interviewing your child?

If you have questions about allowing police to question your child about witnessing or being the victim of a crime, contact an attorney for advice about how to handle the situation. An attorney will know whether you must allow police to interview your child and what safeguards the police must use to avoid traumatizing your child.

What happens when a child is interviewed by the police?

Interviewing or interrogation can be traumatic and might cause the child to shut down and stop sharing information. Questioning by an authority figure or any adult also can influence a child's memory or interpretation ...

Can a parent refuse to interview a child?

However, if a parent is present when the police approach the child or police ask permission in advance, a parent can refuse to allow the child to be interviewed. A lawyer (hired by the parent) also can refuse an interview on a child's behalf. Children themselves can refuse to be questioned and can also request that a lawyer or a parent be present ...

What are the rights of a child victim?

Some states have special statutes that address the rights of child victims and witnesses. These laws may require, for instance, that the child be permitted to have a victim's advocate or other support person present at any interview with the prosecution or police.

Can a child testify in court?

Many states and the federal government have laws that address child victims and witnesses who testify at trials. Some laws permit children to testify with a support person present and even allow the child to sit on that person's lap during the testimony. Some laws allow a child to testify by closed-circuit television or video deposition with the court's approval. Closed-circuit television allows the child to testify without being in the same room as the defendant. A video deposition allows the child to testify outside the courtroom but with the defendant present. The United States Supreme Court has held that a state law allowing a child to testify by closed-circuit television does not violate the defendant's right to confront the witnesses against him. Special arrangements for the child do not violate the defendant's rights as long as:

Can a child testify outside the courtroom?

Some laws allow a child to testify by closed-circuit television or video deposition with the court's approval. Closed-circuit television allows the child to testify without being in the same room as the defendant. A video deposition allows the child to testify outside the courtroom but with the defendant present.

Can a child witness be accompanied by a dog?

A child witness also could be allowed more breaks than an adult while testifying—if necessary. In some courts, judges allow the child to be accompanied by a courthouse dog —a dog specially trained to help children and other vulnerable witnesses feel calm and safe at the courthouse and during testimony.

What is custodial interrogation?

If a child is in fact arrested, detained or taken into custody; or if the police do something that would make a reasonable person feel that he was in custody or not free to leave, any questioning in that situation is considered "custodial interrogation." Any statements made by the child during custodial interrogation will be admissible only if the child was first advised of his "Miranda rights," or given his "Miranda warnings." The Miranda warning is the statement that a person has the right to remain silent and the right to consult with an attorney, and that anything a person says to police can be used against him in court.

What is the Miranda warning?

The Miranda warning is the statement that a person has the right to remain silent and the right to consult with an attorney, and that anything a person says to police can be used against him in court. Just as with an adult, if the police arrest a child and question him without reading him the Miranda warning, nothing the child says will be ...

Can a child be taken into custody?

If police formally arrest the child, place him in handcuffs, lock him in the back of a police car, or place him in a holding cell at a police station, it can easily be said that the child is, in fact, in custody and not free to leave.

Can police testify against a child?

If a child agrees to talk with police and the child has not been arrested and is free to leave, anything the child says to police can be used against him or her in court proceedings because his statements are considered voluntary, not coerced. If the child is interviewed on the street or at home, for instance, and voluntarily admits to participating in a burglary or selling drugs to other students, the police can testify at a hearing or trial about the child's admissions or statements.