Q: What rights does my minor child have when accused of committing a crime?
A:
Minors have substantially similar Constitutional rights as adults. That means if your child is accused of a crime by police, they should be instructed, as adults should as well, to 1) remain silent and 2) request an attorney (and their parents).
Just like adults, what your child says in that moment can AND WILL BE used against them.
You as the parent should remain calm, gather as much pertinent information as possible should the police contact you, and go about the business of seeking legal advice. Arguing with the police about legal matters (e.g., "you can't do that to my baby") will get you nowhere fast, and in fact you actions could be deemed hostile, resulting in either criminal charges against you, or used as justification to keep your child detained in a juvenile facility.
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