In the Interest of R.L.J.
Florida District Court of Appeal
336 So. 2d 132 (1976)
- Written by Deanna Curl, JD
Facts
Deputy sheriff Bailey decided to question 14-year-old R.L.J. because he had a well-founded suspicion, but not probable cause, that R.L.J. had participated in some recent burglaries. After receiving permission from R.L.J.’s father to take R.L.J. in for questioning, Bailey found R.L.J. and told him that he wanted to talk with him at the sheriff’s office. When R.L.J. asked why Bailey wanted to speak with him, Bailey responded that he would rather explain the situation to R.L.J. at the sheriff’s office. R.L.J. subsequently agreed to ride with Bailey to the sheriff’s office to talk. During the encounter, Bailey did not explain to R.L.J. that he was not obligated to go to the sheriff’s office for questioning. Once at the station, Bailey read R.L.J. his Miranda warnings and, after 30 to 40 minutes of questioning, R.L.J. confessed to the crime. R.L.J. was charged with delinquency and, during trial, testified that he thought he had to go with Bailey when he was asked because Bailey was a law enforcement officer. After R.L.J. was adjudicated delinquent, he appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Smith, J.)
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