One of the greatest nightmares for any parent is receiving a phone call informing them that their son or daughter has been detained at the police station - we all did foolish things as children, but when it happens to our kids, and certainly when they have reached a police interrogation, it is a different story altogether... It is not merely a criminal record that will be difficult to erase later, but the police interrogation itself can cause not only trauma to the child but also social repercussions, both of which together can reshape their life, and not necessarily in the right direction. Sometimes, a minor may find themselves in a police interrogation not necessarily because of something they did, but as a witness to events...
The criminal justice system in Israel recognizes the special sensitivity and vulnerability of children and youth, and therefore establishes clear and separate rules regarding their interrogation and trial. Under Israeli law, the age of criminal responsibility is 12 years. From this age, a minor is defined as "punishable," and consequently, may be held accountable for acts that constitute a criminal offense. However, the legislature and the Courts have enshrined a series of fundamental rights aimed at protecting the minor in the complex and intimidating setting of an interrogation, not only to ensure the integrity of the proceeding but also to give special attention to protecting the mental well-being of minors in criminal proceedings.
Israeli law grants minors a strict protective envelope during the various stages of the interrogation, which includes, inter alia, the following rights, in addition to the right to an attorney and the right to remain silent, which are available to every person: A minor between the ages of 12 and 18 suspected of committing a criminal offense is entitled to the presence of an adult on their behalf (a parent or other relative) inside the interrogation room; the police are obligated to inform the minor of this right, summon the accompanying adult to the station, and refrain from starting the interrogation until their arrival; to prevent a situation where investigators exploit a child's fatigue in an attempt to extract a confession, it is forbidden to interrogate a child under the age of 14 between 8:00 PM and 7:00 AM the next morning, and a minor over 14 and under 18 between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM the next morning, along with other restrictions. There are, of course, exceptions to these rules, and therefore it is very important to get immediate legal counsel-always, but especially when it comes to the interrogation of a minor.
The interrogation of a minor by the police is no trivial matter. It is a dramatic event that can irreversibly affect the youth's life path, their enlistment in the IDF, and their professional future. Contacting a criminal defense lawyer as early as possible-preferably before the interrogation-is of paramount importance. A professional lawyer will explain the minor's rights in clear language, accompany them throughout the process, and fight to conclude the proceeding through rehabilitation channels or by closing the case.