NCJ Number
132791
Journal
Children's Legal Rights Journal Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1991) Pages: 2-11
Date Published
1991
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Attorneys, social workers, and juvenile court personnel should be aware of the differences between interviewing adults and interviewing children and the special considerations involved in interviews of children of different ages.
Abstract
Therefore, they must recognize that children react to their questioners more than adults do; that they are suggestible; and that they have different perceptions of time, life, and truth. At the start of the interview, the interviewer should explain why the questions are being asked. When interviewing younger children, interviewers should also be very specific in the use of words and should not allow the accompanying adult to speak for the child. With adolescents, interviewers should recognize the need to build trust. Attorneys should be extremely direct and self-confident with teenagers. They should explain that a juvenile record may be considered if a person is applying for certain jobs that require security clearances and that the high school equivalence diploma is not sufficient for entry into the armed forces. Using these and other appropriate interview techniques will make their efforts on behalf of the youth as effective as possible. 31 reference notes, copy of child's juvenile intake sheet, and questionnaire regarding drug use.