Blackwood, NJ asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Adoption and Municipal Law for New Jersey

Q: Can law enforcement question an 18 yr old if they're legally disabled and mentally half their age?

Especially since they are legally still under a kinship legal guardian because they didnt graduate yet because they have learning disabilities and their legal guardian took them to the police department under false pretenses and did not give consent to be interrogated alone which should mean the guardian has like a power of attorney type status for that child until she graduates?

1 Lawyer Answer

A: The issue is not whether the police can question the individual but whether the information provided to the police as a result of the interrogation is admissible or can be used in a criminal court proceeding.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.