IL SB2919

Chief Judge of each judicial circuit may establish a Justice for Juveniles Program requiring legal counsel presence throughout custodial interrogation of juveniles arrested or detained for eligible offenses.

Any oral, written, or sign language statement made by a juvenile without legal counsel during custodial interrogation shall be inadmissible as evidence in juvenile court proceedings or under the Criminal Code of 1961 or 2012.

"Eligible offense" includes violations of specified Criminal Code sections relating to criminal sexual abuse, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and other serious crimes (sections 9-1, 9-2, 9-3, 11-1.20, 11-1.30, 11-1.40, 11-1.50, 11-1.60, 12-13, 12-14, 12-15, and 12-16).

"Juvenile" is defined as a minor under 18 years of age at the time of commission of an eligible offense.

Program operates in addition to existing representation requirements under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.