SACRAMENTO – In response to research indicating that false confessions by children younger than 18 have led to an increase in wrongful convictions, the California Senate approved a measure that Sen. Ted W. Lieu authored, which requires law enforcement agencies statewide to videotape interviews of minors accused of homicide.
The Senate voted 36-0, May 29, on Senate Bill 569.
Specifically, SB 569 would:
Require the interrogation of a minor who is suspected or accused of committing homicide to be videotaped by law enforcement agencies statewide.
Provide various exceptions from the videotaping requirement.
Require the prosecution to show by clear and convincing evidence that an exception applies to justify the failure to make that electronic recording.
SB 569 is co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union the California Public Defenders Association and the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice.
The measure now goes to the Assembly for review; no date has yet been set.