What are the rules about statements made to persons in authority?
Young people giving a statement to a person in authority
- must make the statement voluntarily, that is without being promised any benefit if they make the statement and without fear of the consequences if they don't make a statement;
- must be told by the person in authority that they don't have to make a statement;
- must be told that any statement they do make may be used as evidence in court;
- must be told that they may speak to a lawyer, parent or other adult before saying anything;
- must be told that the adult they contact must be present when they make their statement unless they choose otherwise;
- must be given a reasonable chance to contact a lawyer, parent or other adult and have that person present when they make a statement.
April 1997
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