Police Want To Interview a Minor Suspected of Shoplifting

[tugboatwillie]

my 15 year old daughter was stopped after her friend had stolen a small makeup pen from a shop . my daughter had removed the barcode label off it. the police said it was criminal damage . what can the do to her tomorow and wot can i say no to, has i have no idea of her rights as a 15 year old thnaxs

[Anonymous]

The principal reason the police want to question your daughter is to obtain a confession, which they will include in a police report for the benefit of the prosecutor's office.

She doesn't have to say a word to the police. Even fifteen-year-old kids have the "right to remain silent".

You may wish to consult with a local lawyer who does juvenile criminal defense work about your situation, and your best approach to the police interview.

[LP1186]

That's correct you don't have to say anything to the police. Yet, put your self in the judge’s shoes for a second. You have two shoplifting cases, both identical except in one the minor confesses and feels sorry for what they've done, and in the second the minor refuses to say anything. Who do you believe is going to get the lesser sentence? She's a minor and I would think that judges like to see when the minor sincerely feels bad about what they've done and promise to not do it again than when they refuse to cooperate. You do have the right to remain silent, but it may not be in your best interest considering you don't know how solid the prosecutor's case is. If they already have video tape of your daughter committing the act, they may just want to see whether or not she's going to be cooperative or if she's going to lie about it, and they can decide what exactly to charge her with and the judge can decide the punishment better. I am not a legal expert though.

[bubbamia]

Invoking your 5th amendment right can not be held againts you nor can it even be brought up in court. But then again Tugboatwillie is from England. So who knows. I say she shouldn't say a darn thing.