Abstract
Police interrogations are the starting point of criminal procedures against juvenile offenders. However, research on police interrogations of juvenile offenders remains scarce. In Belgium this seems even more true, for there has never been any scientific research on how police interrogates juvenile offenders.
Moreover, legislation and literature on this subject are limited.
When it comes to police interrogations of minor victims of sexual abuse, it's another story: the interrogation of that target group receives a lot more attention.
In this contribution we will reflect on the interrogation of the juvenile offender from a children's rights perspective, based on an overview of legislation, literature and case-law.
On the one hand we will analyse the international, European and national children's rights framework, applicable at the level of the police. More precisely we will analyse what fundamental rights are accorded to minors who come into conflict with the law and who are interrogated by the (Belgian) police.
On the other hand, questions can and should be raised on whether and how these rights are applied in practice. Does the rhetoric match the reality of the practice? What major problems can occur in daily practice?
Moreover, legislation and literature on this subject are limited.
When it comes to police interrogations of minor victims of sexual abuse, it's another story: the interrogation of that target group receives a lot more attention.
In this contribution we will reflect on the interrogation of the juvenile offender from a children's rights perspective, based on an overview of legislation, literature and case-law.
On the one hand we will analyse the international, European and national children's rights framework, applicable at the level of the police. More precisely we will analyse what fundamental rights are accorded to minors who come into conflict with the law and who are interrogated by the (Belgian) police.
On the other hand, questions can and should be raised on whether and how these rights are applied in practice. Does the rhetoric match the reality of the practice? What major problems can occur in daily practice?
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | European Society of Criminology, Budapest, 4-7 September 2013 |
Publication status | Published - 4 Sep 2013 |
Event | Unknown - Duration: 4 Sep 2013 → … |
Publication series
Name | European Society of Criminology, Budapest, 4-7 September 2013 |
---|
Conference
Conference | Unknown |
---|---|
Period | 4/09/13 → … |
Keywords
- Police interrogations
- juvenile delinquency
- minor offenders
- children's rights