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Panel amends juvenile‑interrogation bill after debate over parental presence and logistics
Summary
SB500, which would require minors to consult an attorney before waiving rights, was amended by the Judiciary Committee after debate between child‑rights advocates, prosecutors and judges; committee signaled willingness to narrow language to require parental presence in some cases.
The Senate Judiciary Committee adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 500 and engaged in extended questioning over whether the bill should require counsel consultation for minors or instead mandate parental presence when juveniles are questioned.
Sponsor Senator Ledding and James Dole of Human Rights for Kids said the bill is intended to protect young people during custodial interrogations. Dole cited research on juvenile development and statistics drawn from national exoneration work that, he said, show high rates of false confessions among juveniles. The bill as presented would entitle minors (presented in testimony as…
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