Can a confession be used if there's no record of it?

by **jaren12** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:45 am

i understand when police interrogate a suspect they get video taped or sign that they confessed. but how bout when a minor is interrogated for a crime and as soon as hes arrested he screams yea i did it but theres no video of it or a signd confession. at the station he recants his statement. o and according to criminal law juveniles dont have to be read miranda. so is this "confession" admissible

by **baigh75** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:59 am

If your parents/legal guardians allow the confession, then yes, it can be used.

by **dana** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:03 am

Juvenile justice is substantially different from adult justice. The juvenile court system has a lot more latitude in how they judge minors, and often will take the hearsay evidence under consideration if the witness is credible.

That said, a juvenile judge has the power to call a juvenile a delinquent based on little evidence, so the report of the confession would not even *have* to be admissible for the judge to act.

Bottom line: you confess to the crime, the judge is going to hear about it, and may make a decision based on that evidence.

- Stuart

by **shen86** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:06 am

its called a spontaneous statement, and it is admissible in court

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