Juvenile Interrogation (S 427)

Legislation introduced will require that a minor have a parent or guardian present during questioning by law enforcement. As one of our most recent cases shows, juveniles are generally less able to understand their legal rights while being interrogated, yet law enforcement does so as if they were well-informed adults possessing a full understanding of the weight of an interrogation. Rhode Island law generally protects children who are interrogated while at school, requiring a guardian to be present. Yet, if the child’s first interaction with a police officer occurs off campus, no such protection currently applies. This legislation would rectify that difference. In June, the Senate passed this legislation, but it died in House Judiciary Committee.