SSRN Electronic Journal · 2006 · 10 citations · 0 references
Open access
Social SciencesPsychologySocial PsychologyAdolescent DevelopmentDevelopmental PsychologyJuvenile JusticeAdolescent Social DevelopmentFalse ConfessionsJuvenile Criminal ProcedureJuvenile DelinquencyJuvenile Justice PolicyPolice PsychologyInterrogation-induced False ConfessionsJuvenile Arrest Decision-makingJuvenile ConfessionsJuvenile False ConfessionsJuvenile Miranda RightsMiranda WarningsPolice Interrogation PsychologyRecording Of Interrogations
This paper looks at the connections between adolescent psychological development, police interrogation and the juvenile false confession phenomenon. It examines the psychological research on adolescent development and the impact this development can have on an adolescent’s decision to waive his or her Miranda rights and on his or her ability to withstand the techniques used by police to obtain confessions. The paper argues that in order to minimize juvenile false confessions, states should 1) ensure adequate comprehension of the Miranda warnings, 2) change the police procedures for interrogating juveniles, and 3) videotape all interrogations.