Successfully Interviewing Juveniles

Decent Essays
Xuxa Mokiem

Professor Vila

Criminal Justice

October 8th, 2015

Unfortunately, in the society we live in today, young individuals are beginning to become just another number in our juvenile detention centers. In 2012, statistics show about 73 million individuals under the age of 18 are in juvenile detention centers across the United States. Undeveloped and immature individuals under the legal age who commit a crime can be considered juveniles. If one commits a crime and they are under the legal age, they are placed in juvenile detention center while they await trial.

Once a young teen is admitted into a juvenile detention center, officers and detectives most likely interview the child. Interviewing a juvenile can have either be very successful or turn out to be a disaster. There are many pitfalls that come along with interviewing a juvenile. For example, once a young child is taken in for the interviewing process, they may feel extremely confused and scared. With this being the case, most individuals will not answer any of the attorney, officer, or even detectives questions. Once they decide not to
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Juveniles must feel a sense of trust within the attorney. If they do not feel this sense of trust, they will not give up very much information on the reasoning behind the crime committed.In the article, "Ten Tips for Successfully Interviewing Juvenile Clients," it is stated that "by starting the interviewing with something personal or light breaks the ice." If an interviewer asks personal questions, the client would feel just a little more comfortable. "Ten Tips for Successfully Interviewing Juvenile Clients," states that allowing a juvenile to explain what happened demonstrates your willingness to listens and helps build trust. Trust is a very important key factor in any situation. Also, when you listen to ones side of a story, you will be able to collect important

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