What to do when questioning a minor child?

Questioner

In December, during a house search, a quantity of fireworks was found in our garage. Our minor son had bought illegal fireworks, nitrates (net weight gunpowder 2 kg) with a number of friends. We were not aware of this. The fireworks were intended for use by the group of friends. When it turned out that not all packages could be distributed, he sold 3 packages via telegram. The police discovered this. There will be an interrogation with the police soon. We would like to ask you a number of questions. + Is he obliged to provide the name of the seller? + Is he obliged to mention the names of his friends? + Does he have the right to remain silent on certain questions? + Do you have any suggestions/recommendations that he can take with him to the interrogation? Do you think that asking a lawyer to be present during the interrogation would be an added value? Thank you in advance.

Lawyer

Suspects are not required to answer questions. Whether it is wise to do so depends on the case. Fireworks offences are still punished quite severely. Assistance from a lawyer is therefore highly recommended. One problem is that only arrested (minor) suspects are entitled to a free consultation with a lawyer before the interrogation and assistance during the interrogation. If the interrogation is by invitation, this does not apply and assistance is therefore at your own expense. A trick could be for the lawyer to agree with the public prosecutor that your son will be arrested shortly before the interrogation and released immediately after the interrogation, so that he is entitled to this free assistance. This can also be a lawyer of your own choice. If the date/time of the interrogation in the invitation does not work out well, there is always a possibility to move the interrogation in consultation with the police. Please feel free to contact us.