Treatment of Juveniles by the Police
Position: support
Status: HB 1054 received a hearing in the House Committee on Human Services but did not pass out of committee.
Bill: HB 1054
Young people have many of the same legal rights as older citizens, and parents have an important role in protecting those rights. Minors' rights are threatened when police take young people into custody without at least trying to notify the parents first. Without parents present, minors may not understand their rights or may feel pressured into waiving them.
We support a bill sponsored by Rep. Jim Moeller that requires police to notify parents, guardians, and custodians when a juvenile is taken into custody. The measure will protect the due process rights of vulnerable youths.
