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Interrogation Guidelines for Minors Change in Illinois
Despite the rights given to us in the Constitution, not all individuals are treated equally when it comes to the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system was created with the intention that everyone would be treated as equals to give everyone a fair chance at life and liberty. Unfortunately, that is not always the reality. In many cases, smaller minority groups and even juveniles involved in the criminal justice system are unfairly treated. Fortunately, steps are being taken each day to help combat some of the injustices that currently exist. In recent weeks, the state of Illinois has become the first state to prohibit police officers from using deception or lying when interrogating a juvenile suspect.
Changes in the Law
When police are investigating a crime, one of the many tools that they use to do it is interrogations. In recent weeks, interrogations have been in the media, specifically, the ability of questioning officers to mislead juvenile suspects. Now, law enforcement officials in the state of Illinois are prohibited from using deceptive tactics when interrogating young suspects. Police often use deceptive practices, such as lying, conveying fabricated information, and falsely promising leniency for confessing against juveniles. However, under the new law, any evidence obtained through these means will not be admissible in court.
Deception and False Confessions
The criminal justice system has long recognized a need for differentiation between adult and juvenile offenders. The first juvenile court in the country was created in Cook County in 1899. Since then, nearly every jurisdiction in the country has some form of a juvenile justice system. According to the Innocence Project, juveniles are especially vulnerable to false confessions and are actually between two and three times more likely to give a false confession than an adult. In around 30 percent of cases involving wrongful convictions overturned by DNA evidence, deceptive interrogation practices were a contributing factor.
Contact a Rolling Meadows, IL Juvenile Defense Attorney Today
Many people believe that law enforcement across the country still needs more reform, especially when it comes to dealing with the people who are most at-risk for abuse from the system. Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law, has worked as both a prosecutor and as a criminal defense attorney, providing him with unique experience. If you or your child has been charged with a crime, you should speak with our skilled Arlington Heights, IL juvenile defense lawyer as soon as possible. Call our office today at 847-253-3400
Sources:
https://innocenceproject.org/historic-deception-bill-passes-illinois-legislature-banning-police-from-lying-to-youth-during-interrogations/
https://eji.org/news/illinois-lawmakers-ban-police-deception-in-juvenile-interrogations/
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