ALBANY, NY (WENY)--A BILL IN ALBANY TRIES TO STRENGTHEN THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT BY ENSURING YOUNG NEW YORKERS ARE DIRECTED TO AN ATTORNEY BEFORE WAIVING THEIR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT TO BE INTERROGATED BY THE POLICE.
SOME ADVOCATES SAid THIS legislation IS IMPORTANT TO HELP PROTECT CHILDREN IN THE STATE.
JOSE PEREZ, AN ADVOCATE WITH YOUTHNPOWER, SAid HE WAS incarcerated AT THE AGES OF 13 AND 16.
DETERMINED TO HELP OTHERS AVOID SELF-INCRIMINATION, HE TRAVELS TO ALBANY TO SHARE HIS STORY AND READ A POEM HE WROTE CALLED SILENCE.
“Sometimes silence is a song, or a cry, or a request. Or sometimes, sometimes, silence is an invitation to preserve my possibility,” he said.
THE LEGISLATION WILL ALSO REQUIRE A CHILD ARRESTED WITHOUT A WARRANT TO BE BROUGHT DIRECTLY TO A COURT AS OPPOSED TO A POLICE STATION.
SOME LAWMAKERS SAid THIS LEGISLATION AIMS TO RIGHT GENERATIONAL WRONGS.
“We’re trying to say that the right to remain silent applies to everybody but especially for young people who need to make sure that they know that attorneys are present that are your best interest to make sure that you don’t make a misstep that can cost you your life,” said Sen. Jamaal Bailey (D-36th Senate District).
THE LEGISLATION IS CURRENTLY IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES.