MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

True or False: Parents or guardians must be present during a juvenile's interrogation.

1. True

2. False

3. Only if the juvenile requests

4. Only for serious offenses

The correct answer is: False

The statement regarding parental or guardian presence during a juvenile's interrogation is false because the presence of a parent or guardian is not universally required during all interrogations. While many jurisdictions highly encourage or require efforts to notify parents about the interrogation process, the legal requirement can depend on various factors such as state laws and the specific circumstances surrounding the case. In some instances, a juvenile may waive their right to have a parent or guardian present, and the interrogation can proceed without them. Additionally, for certain minor offenses, the need for parental presence may be less emphasized compared to more serious crimes, where the involvement of an adult may be deemed more critical to protect the juvenile's rights. Thus, the correct response acknowledges the variability in requirements across different situations rather than establishing an absolute necessity for parental presence in every case.