(BALTIMORE, Md., 10/1/2022) – The Maryland office of the Council on American Islamic Relations today welcomed the long awaited news of the Child Interrogation Protection Act taking effect today in Maryland after years of advocacy to pass this bill in the state legislature.
This law now:
- Protects due process and avoids false confessions by requiring children to have a chance to speak with an attorney before police interrogations
- Makes sure parents/guardians are notified if their children are taken into police custody
- Prohibits statements made in violation of this law from being used against a child
“Our state unjustly and disproportionately incarcerates children of color, who are also consistently over-policed,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “Each one of these children deserves due process. For far too long, Maryland has ranked amongst the worst states in our country when it comes to juvenile justice. We are proud to have worked alongside many advocates and lawmakers who championed this measure to bring our state one step closer to meaningful reform.”
In its testimony in favor of the bill, CAIR wrote in part:
“Studies show that children are far more likely than adults to make false confessions. A study of exonerations found that 42 percent of exonerated juveniles had falsely confessed, compared with 13 percent of adults. As proven by the Central Park Five case, uncertainty, intimidation tactics and coercion in the absence of a parent or attorney, as well as environmental and personal factors, can induce fear and compel a child to misspeak – thereby compromising due process, leading to serious consequences and hindering justice.
Children of color are disproportionately over-policed, and are far more likely to suffer adverse consequences and become entangled in the criminal justice system. Loopholes and tactics in policing practices further erode trust. It’s a known fact that some police departments
use questioning techniques designed to elicit confessions.”
This legislation was among CAIR’s top ten key legislative priorities for the 2022 Maryland Muslim Lobby Day.
SEE: CAIR, Community Partners Co-Host ‘Successful’ 2022 Maryland Muslim Lobby Day
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT:CAIR Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062