Youth Law (Trial, Punishment and Modes of Treatment) (Amendment – Presence of an Attorney at the Interrogation of a Minor) (Temporary Provision) Bill

What does the bill do?

The proposal adds a section to the Youth Law establishing the right of a minor suspect to be represented by a lawyer during questioning. The lawyer will be present at the questioning unless the minor objected in writing or in a recording. The investigator must inform the minor of this right. The proposal defines exceptional cases in which the questioning may be delayed or the lawyer removed, such as to prevent obstruction of the investigation or to protect state security. The proposal does not apply to interviews conducted by special child investigators or to investigations by the Israel Security Agency. The proposal is framed as a temporary provision for a period of five years, with the aim of examining the effects afterward.