NCJ Number
57333
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 44 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1977) Pages: 22-24
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE RIGHTS OF JUVENILES DURING POLICE INTERROGATION, WAYS POLICE CAN MAKE SURE THESE RIGHTS ARE NOT VIOLATED, AND TECHNIQUES FOR WORKING WITH BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN DURING QUESTIONING ARE COVERED.
Abstract
INTERROGATORS MUST PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO DUE PROCESS REQUIREMENTS WHEN WORKING WITH JUVENILES. POLICE MAY QUESTION STATUS OFFENDERS WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF PARENTS, BUT IN CASES INVOLVING SERIOUS MISDEMEANORS AND FELONIES THEY SHOULD POSTPONE INTERROGATION UNTIL THE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND GIVEN A CHANCE TO GET A LAWYER. FINGERPRINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHING SHOULD BE DONE WHILE WAITING FOR THE PARENTS. THE INTERROGATOR CAN USE THIS TIME TO ESTABLISH RAPPORT BY DISCUSSING SCHOOL OR SPORTS. QUESTIONING PROCEDURES SHOULD BE EXPLAINED TO THE PARENTS BEFORE THEY MEET THE JUVENILE AND THE OFFICER SHOULD EMPHASIZE THAT THE PURPOSE IS TO 'HEAR THE CHILD'S SIDE OF THE STORY.' EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO AVOID AN ACCUSING POSTURE. THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS SHOULD BE EXPLAINED BEFORE QUESTIONING. TECHNIQUES ARE PRESENTED FOR HELPING THE SCARED CHILD RELAX, FOR SOBERING UP THE CHILD WHO REFUSES TO BE SERIOUS, AND FOR HANDLING 'STREET WISE' PARENTS AND CHILDREN WHOSE MAIN QUESTION IS 'WHAT'LL HE GET FOR THIS?' PERMISSIBLE AND IMPERMISSIBLE TRICKS AND EXAGGERATIONS ARE GIVEN AND TECHNIQUES FOR GETTING THE PARENTS TO ENCOURAGE THE CHILD TO CONFESS ARE SUGGESTED. HANDLING LIES AND WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO CANNOT BELIEVE THE CHILD IS GUILTY ARE ALSO COVERED. POLICE ARE URGED TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILL IN QUESTIONNING JUVENILES BECAUSE YOUNG PERSONS COMMIT SUCH A LARGE PROPORTION OF CRIMES AND ARE VALUABLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER JUVENILES AND THEIR CRIMES. (GLR)