Journal of Law and Criminal Justice

Miranda is not Enough: What Every Parent in the United States Should Know About Protecting Their Child
M. Dyan McGuire

Abstract
Juveniles often lack the legal sophistication and cognitive development necessary to cope successfully with police officers seeking to interrogate them. They are often unable to understand the substance of their Miranda rights and do not appreciate the ramifications of waiving their rights. Many juveniles do not even comprehend that a lawyer is supposed to act as an advocate for them and protect their interests. This lack of capacity and understanding has resulted in a number of tragic cases where juveniles waived their rights and were coerced into falsely implicating themselves in crimes they did not commit. This article seeks to provide parents with an understanding of their children’s legal rights as well as concrete advice about how to protect their children from adverse encounters with law enforcement.

Full Text: PDF