How should you document interactions with a juvenile during a 400-series case?

• A. Obtain guardian consent as required, avoid coercive questioning, and log all statements.
• B. Interrogate the juvenile without consent to speed up the case.
• C. Log statements only if the juvenile agrees.
• D. Do not log juvenile statements to protect privacy.

Answer: (A)

When handling a juvenile interview in a 400-series case, the priority is to protect the juvenile’s rights and keep a clear, verifiable record of what happened. Obtain guardian consent as required by law and department policy before interviewing the juvenile, and make sure the guardian understands the purpose and the juvenile’s rights. During the interview, avoid coercive questioning—keep a neutral, respectful approach and adapt as needed to the juvenile’s age and understanding. After the encounter, log every statement in detail: who participated, what was said, when and where the interview occurred, who was present (including the guardian and any witnesses), and whether the interview was recorded. This thorough documentation supports proper accountability, helps ensure admissibility of statements, and provides a transparent record for the case. Interrogating without consent would violate rights and policy, logging only if the juvenile agrees would miss important information, and not logging statements would undermine accountability and transparency.