Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice · Children)

This bill establishes that children aged 15 and younger cannot waive their right to have an attorney present during custodial interrogations, meaning law enforcement must ensure an attorney is available before questioning these minors. It makes any statements made by children during such interrogations inadmissible in court unless their counsel was present at the time. The law also reinforces existing protections by clarifying that confessions from children must be voluntary and not obtained through coercion or improper inducements. These changes directly impact police procedures and the admissibility of evidence in cases involving minors.