Ill. bans police from using deceptive tactics to get confessions from minors

The bill passed with bipartisan support

interrogation interview minor juvenile

Canva Pro

By Suzie Ziegler

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois has become the first state to ban police from using certain deceptive tactics to get a confession out of juvenile suspects.

According to WTVO, the bill bars police from using deceptive tactics to get information on a case from minors. Supporters say the practice can lead to false confessions. The bill passed on Sunday with bipartisan support in both the Illinois House and Senate.

“Let me be clear. I think that lying or deceiving anyone in any interrogation is wrong, but in this case, especially with young people,” said Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) to WTVO. “Don’t deceive them, don’t try to make offers to them. Don’t try to intimidate them and tell them you know X is happening here and therefore Y is happening there.”

House Republican leader Jim Durkin signed the legislation as a co-sponsor.

“I’ll never be accused of being soft on crime, but I’m more interested in seeking the truth than a conviction,” Durkin said. “I believe in fair play. We should never tolerate, under any circumstance, the use of deception to seek a statement or an admission by any defendant, let alone a juvenile.”

NEXT: Interviews & interrogations: The delicate process of extracting information

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU