Do Police Want To Question Your Child? Here's What You Need To Know
by Jo Rodriquez
A common question arises when parents discover their children are accused of committing a crime or witnessing a crime. They want to know if their children should speak with the police.
If you find yourself in this situation, you might have concerns about your child's future. Could they be accused of a crime? Is there something you should be doing to protect them?
This is what you need to know.
Talking to the Police Doesn't Clear Your Child's Name
One common police tactic involves telling parents and their children that the teen can clear his or her name simply by coming in talking to them. This an interrogation technique that police may use to get you to come in without a criminal defense attorney.
It is important that you never go in for questioning or an interrogation without an attorney, and your child should never be questioned without you present.
The Police Will Arrest Your Child If They Have What They Need
If the police suspect that your child committed a crime and have the evidence necessary, they will make the arrest with or without questioning ahead of time. If police are asking your child to come in for questioning, it might mean they don't have everything they need. In a situation like this, talking to police without an attorney may not be helpful at all.
Don't Trust Everybody to Be Completely Honest
It's also important to keep in mind that if police are trying to question your child, they are also likely questioning your child's friends. This means that a friend could point to your child as a way to get out of trouble with the law or with their own parents. An attorney can help prevent your child from being taken advantage of or used as a scapegoat.
Teens Can Be Charged as Adults
Some people don't pay much mind to their children being accused of a crime because they figure the charges will not be serious. The reality is that children can be charged as adults for certain crimes, and this means your child could end up going to adult jail or prison instead of a juvenile facility.
Consult With a Criminal Defense Attorney
No matter the crime or the age of your child, you need a strong attorney on your side. A criminal defense attorney can represent your child and ensure that their rights are respected throughout the criminal court process.
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