Child Criminals
[Alternative: It shall be set in law that an acting police officer has the right to detain and arrest youth (children) who are no younger than 10 years of age. The police, within the boundries of New Zealand law, have the right to question only when the youths legal guardian present or if the youth requests or permission is sought and granted by the youth's legal guardian, a lawyer may be present either at the states expense or by private means]
Comment
What exactly is the definition of an "acting police officer"? One who is currently on duty? Clearly identified? A citizen acting within an officer's capacity? A deputised citizen?
Alternative views • I don't think children should be detained in the same way as adult offenders at all. Age is otherwise a relevant mitigating factor in trial rather than in arrest and interrogation.
• Youth who commit crimes or are suspected of having commited a crime should be dealt with as an adult offender/suspect would. They do an adult crime they get treated as an adult this includes detaining, restraining and sentencing.
• Children aged 10-16 can be pretty savvy, and should be liable for conviction, sentence, imprisonment and retraining. However, a "borstal" type prison would likely serve them better than an adult prison.
|