Bill > S0736

This bill prohibits peace officers and school resource officers (SROs) from using certain interrogation tactics when questioning juveniles, specifically outlawing threats, physical harm, deprivation, deception, coercion, and psychologically manipulative techniques during custodial interrogations. The bill provides detailed definitions of these prohibited tactics, which include strategies like exaggerating evidence, making false promises of leniency, presenting misleading choices, and applying undue psychological pressure. If an officer uses any of these tactics, any statement obtained would be considered tainted and presumptively inadmissible in criminal or juvenile court proceedings. The bill places the burden of proof on the state to demonstrate that a juvenile's statement was given voluntarily and without these prohibited tactics, requiring prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the statement was not obtained through improper means. The legislation aims to protect juveniles from potentially coercive or manipulative interrogation methods that could lead to false confessions or self-incrimination, recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of young people in law enforcement interactions.

Justice

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