Do accused children have any privacy rights?
– Yes. Minors arrested and charged with crimes have the right to have that information kept from the public and the media. Except in exceptional incidents where a minor is tried as an adult, all records relating to a child’s contacts with police, probation reports, and all informal juvenile matters are confidential. (LORENZO P. V. SUPERIOR COURT [1988] 197 Cal. App. 3d 607) Remember, your child is not guilty just because he or she has been accused. Your child will need your love and support. Don’t pass judgment; keep a level head, and obtain counsel from a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law. It’s important to keep in mind that police and probation officers may act as counselors and caring persons, and, indeed, they may be genuinely interested in the welfare of your child. However, ultimately, they are officers of the law, and, as such, they must use whatever you and your child say to further the prosecution. They may imply or suggest that you are in complete control of what will happ
