Family and the Youth Court

Getting involved with the police

If a young person is being questioned about an offence, or is going to be arrested or charged, the police must:

• explain the young person's rights to them

• give them a chance to talk privately to a lawyer and/or parent or guardian, or another adult they trust

• not take a statement without another adult being there; the adult must be a parent or guardian, or someone from the whanau or family group, and/or a lawyer, or some other trusted adult the young person chooses

• let the adult see the young person and talk to them properly in private.

When no one else is suitable, the police can choose a support person. It must be someone the young person can trust, and not a police officer.

If a young person is charged and has to appear in court, the parent, guardian, caregiver or other trusted person must be told. They will be given a notice that the young person has been charged. The notice must also explain all their rights and obligations through the court case.