is it illegal to interview a 15 yr old w/o parent’s consent or parent being present during interivew in SC?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

is it illegal to interview a 15 yr old w/o parent’s consent or parent being present during interivew in SC?

Asked on May 19, 2009 under Criminal Law, South Carolina

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 14 years ago | Contributor

Since you didn't state, I will assume that this interview was conducted by the police.
A juvenile can be questioned by the police without his/her parents present.  This is true so long as it is not a "custodial interrogation".  For example, the minor is removed to a different location.    Questioning can be done in a school setting but the court may well deem that setting to be custodial; any incriminating statements made may be thrown out at trial.
After a juvenile is taken into custody by the police, his parents or guardian are notified and asked to come to the police station.  The police may question the juvenile without his parents present, but at this point the juvenile has the right to remain silent and has the right to a lawyer.  If the parents do not want the child to talk to the police, they should advise the child not to talk without the advice of the lawyer.  At this point, if the minor continues to speak anything he says can be used against him in court.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption