What rights do juveniles have during questioning by the police?
Juveniles, who are minors under the age of 18, have special rights during questioning by the police in California. Before police questioning, juveniles must be given a copy of the Miranda Warning, which advises them of their right to remain silent and to have an attorney present during questioning. In California, juveniles have the right to remain silent and cannot be forced to make any statements, including admissions of guilt, without a lawyer present. It is also illegal for the police to threaten, harass, or otherwise pressure a juvenile into providing evidence against themselves or other juveniles. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court held in 2015 that it is unconstitutional for police to interrogate juveniles without providing notice to their parents. Police are also required to advise the juvenile of the right to have his or her parent or guardian with them during questioning. Parents or guardians are allowed to remain in the room during the questioning, provided they do not interfere with the police process. Finally, minors also have the right to stop the questioning at any time or to ask for a lawyer. It is important for juveniles to understand and to adhere to these rights in order to protect themselves from the potential consequences of an interrogation.
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