Recording Juvenile Interrogations in Illinois

Jan 16, 2017

Click below for a copy of the legislation that modifies The Juvenile Court Act of 1987, expanding the requirement to electronically record juvenile interrogations in Illinois.

Legal Updates Fall 2016

Nov 01, 2016

Confession suppressed - made under the influence of fear produced by threatsThe suspect does not have to know all of the possible issues they will be questioned about to make a knowing...

The confession of Brendan Dassey (ìMaking a Murdererî) ruled to be involuntary

Aug 15, 2016

In Dassey v. Dittmann (August 2016) the US District Court, E.D. Wisconsin, ruled that Brendan Dassey’s confession was involuntary. Brendan Dassey’s confession to involvement in the murder of Teresa...

Legal Updates Summer 2016

Jul 30, 2016

The Legal Updates Summer 2016 column contains cases which address the following issues:In New York no adverse instruction required if police do not electronically record the interrogationThe value of videotaping: determining the...

Military court decisions re interrogation issues

Jul 11, 2016

Apr 30, 2016

Legal Updates Spring 2016 The Legal Updates Spring 2016 column contains cases which address the following issues:Detective erroneously associates “sleep deprivation” with the Reid TechniquePlaintiff claims Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism...

The Legal Updates Winter 2016

Mar 29, 2016

The Legal Updates Winter 2016 column contains cases which address the following issues:California Supreme Court upholds rejection of Dr. Richard Leo testimonyThe value of videotaping the interrogation in disputing intoxication claimConfession voluntariness...

The Legal Updates Fall 2015

Jan 16, 2016

The Legal Updates Fall 2015 column contains cases which address the following issues:What constitutes an intellectual disability? What is mental retardation?Is it coercive to tell a subject that it was important for...

Court admonishes investigator for not following Reid guidelines

Nov 11, 2015

In this case the Appeals court pointed out several prescribed Reid procedures that were not followed by the investigator, resulting in a confession that was found to be involuntary:

A...

Legal Updates for Summer 2015

Aug 01, 2015

The Legal Updates Summer 2015 column contains cases which address the following issues:Court admonishes investigator for not following Reid guidelines Value of video recording interrogation to determine competency to waive rights10-year-old can...

Legal Updates for Spring 2015

Jun 01, 2015

The Legal Updates Spring 2015 column contains cases which address the following issues:Court rules that a minimal understanding of Miranda rights is sufficient to make a knowing and intelligent waiverCourt excludes the...

Legal Updates for Winter 2015

Mar 18, 2015

The Legal Updates Winter 2015 column contains cases which address the following issues:Court did not allow David Mantell to testify as an expert on false confessionsDefendant was not denied effective assistance due...

Legal Updates Fall 2014

Dec 03, 2014

The Legal Updates Fall 2014 column contains cases which address the following issues: Court allows surreptitious video recording of incriminating statement into evidenceCourt rules that Dr. Shawn Roberson would not be allowed...

Legal Updates Summer 2014

Sep 30, 2014

Legal Updates Summer 2014 The Legal Updates Summer 2014 column contains cases which address the following issues: Investigator's statement that felony murder would receive a lesser sentence than premeditated murder did not...

Legal Updates Spring 2014

Jun 02, 2014

The Legal Updates Spring 2014 column contains cases which address the following issues:Defendant is entitled to discovery of evidence relating to officer's alleged propensity to obtain confessions through coercive conductStandard questions that...

Court confirms that The Reid Technique consists of proper interrogation procedures

Apr 23, 2014

In US v. Jacques (March 2014) the US Court of Appeals, First Circuit, upheld the lower court's opinion that a confession obtained by interrogators using elements of the Reid technique was voluntary...

Legal Updates Winter 2014

Mar 13, 2014

In the Legal Updates Winter 2014 contains cases which address the following issues:Expert testimony on witness credibility excludedConfession suppressed because suspect was advised that no matter how many robberies she committed all...

Legal Updates Fall 2013

Jan 21, 2014

The Legal Updates Fall 2013 contain cases which address the following issues:Statement the defendant would be taken home if he was honest did not require exclusion of the statementCourt expresses concerns interrogation...

Legal Updates Summer 2013

Sep 11, 2013

The Legal Updates Summer 2013 contain cases which address the following issues: Witness Credibility Statementís such as ìpeople who were honest with the police would be helped differently than those who lied...

Legal Updates Spring 2013

Jul 26, 2013

In our Legal Updates Spring 2013 column we feature cases that address the following issues: Counsel was not ineffective for failing to present testimony of false confession expertMilitary Appeals Court upholds decision...