Juvenile Law - Custodial Interrogation (Juvenile Justice Restoration Act of 2025)

SB 531 (Juvenile Justice Restoration Act of 2025) requires law enforcement officers to consult with an attorney before questioning a child in custody. The law mandates that officers must contact either a parent/guardian-appointed attorney or the Office of the Public Defender and attempt to notify parents/guardians before interrogation, with exceptions only for immediate public safety threats or parental consent. It creates a rebuttable presumption that statements made without compliance are inadmissible in court, and requires detailed record-keeping of attorney consultations and notifications. This directly affects minors facing police questioning, law enforcement officers (including school resource officers), and the Office of the Public Defender, which must develop policies and provide attorney resources.