2024 -- S 2116

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LC003515

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN

FAMILY COURT

     

     Introduced By: Senators Kallman, Valverde, McKenney, Acosta, Mack, Lauria, DiMario,
Bissaillon, Miller, and Cano

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 14-1 of the General Laws entitled "Proceedings in Family Court" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     14-1-30.3. Use of statements made in custodial interrogation.

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     (a) No statements or admissions of a juvenile made as a result of the custodial interrogation

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of such juvenile, by a law enforcement official, concerning delinquent or criminal acts alleged to

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have been committed by the juvenile, shall be admissible in evidence against such juvenile, unless:

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     (1) The juvenile was advised of their right to have a parent or legal guardian present during

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questioning;

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     (2) The parent or legal guardian was present during the questioning;

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     (3) The juvenile and parent or legal guardian were advised prior to questioning, of the

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following:

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     (i) The juvenile’s right to remain silent;

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     (ii) That statements made could be used against them in a court of law;

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     (iii) That they have the right to have an attorney be present during any questioning;

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     (iv) That if they cannot afford an attorney, one would be appointed to represent the juvenile

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at no cost; and

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     (v) A request for an attorney can be made by the juvenile or the parent or legal guardian at

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any time during questioning.

 

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     (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, statements or

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admissions of a juvenile made in the absence of their parent or legal guardian may be admissible

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if:

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     (1) A private attorney or public defender was present at such interrogation;

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     (2) The court finds that, under the totality of the circumstances, the juvenile made a

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knowing, intelligent and voluntary waiver of their constitutional rights; and the juvenile

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misrepresented their age as being eighteen (18) years of age or older and the law enforcement

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official acted in good faith reliance on such representation in conducting the interrogation; or

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     (3) The juvenile is emancipated from their parent or legal guardian.

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     (c) For purposes of this section, a juvenile shall be deemed emancipated if they are over

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the age of fifteen (15) years of age and under the age of eighteen (18) years of age, and have the

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real or apparent assent of their parents, has demonstrated independence in matters of care, custody

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and earnings. The term emancipated may include, but not be limited to, a showing that the juvenile

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is married, in the military, or is otherwise self-supporting.

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     (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the juvenile or their

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parent or legal guardian, may expressly waive the requirement that the parent or legal guardian be

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present during the interrogation of the juvenile. This express waiver shall be in writing and shall be

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obtained only after the juvenile and their parent(s) or legal guardian have been advised of their

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constitutional rights, and the right to have their parent or legal guardian present for any custodial

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questioning. If the presence of the parent or legal guardian is expressly waived, their absence shall

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not make any statements or admissions by the juvenile inadmissible in any proceedings against

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them.

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     (e) The department of children, youth and families shall not act as legal guardian or

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physical guardian for purposes of waiving the requirements of this section on behalf of any juvenile,

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except in instances where the family court has granted the department's petition to terminate the

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parental rights of the child in accordance with § 15-7-7, and the court has appointed the department

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as the sole guardian of the youth.

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     (f) In the event that any provision of this section is in conflict with any provision of chapter

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21.5 of title 16, the provisions of this section shall apply.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN

FAMILY COURT

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     This act would prohibit any questioning of a juvenile who is suspected of delinquent or

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criminal behavior unless the parent, legal guardian of the juvenile or the DCYF when parental rights

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are terminated is present, or unless an attorney is present, the juvenile and their parent or legal

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guardian have waived their presence, the court is satisfied that the juvenile has made a knowing

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voluntary waiver of their rights, the juvenile is emancipated or has misrepresented their age as

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being 18 years or older.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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