Court Weighs Interrogation of Juveniles

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court wrangled Monday over whether police must take extra care when questioning young people about crimes.

The case, part of the court's broad review this year of the familiar warning that begins ``You have the right to remain silent,'' was prelude to the court's consideration next fall of another youth issue: the constitutionality of executing underage killers.

Some justices seemed to have misgivings about an officer's questioning of a California teenager for more than two hours at a police station while forcing the boy's parents to wait outside.

Police contend they did not have to tell the 17-year-old murder suspect his rights because he was not in custody and could have left the station.

Several justices wondered aloud if the teen, who had never been to a police station for questioning before, would have known he was free to go.

``He's a minor. He has to go where his parents tell him to,'' Justice Antonin Scalia said.

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http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Scotus-Police-Questioning.html