Prohibiting Coercive Interrogation Tactics for Juveniles (S 736, H 5922)

We supported this bill which would prohibit police from employing threats, deception, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics during the custodial interrogation of a juvenile. Especially because state law does not provide that juveniles have a right to the presence of a parent, guardian, or trusted adult if they come into contact with the criminal justice system outside of the school setting, this legislation ensures that juveniles are not subject to law enforcement tactics which are intentionally confusing or coerces them to confess to offense that they have not committed. This legislation died in committee.