Here’s what you need to know first: if you’re a minor being questioned by police, you have the right to ask for a parent, guardian, or attorney. In many states, once you make that request clearly, questioning must stop. That’s not just advice — in several states it’s the law.
In North Carolina, for example, state law (G.S. 7B-2101) says that if a juvenile asks for a parent, guardian, or attorney at any point after questioning has begun, the police must stop. It doesn’t matter where you are in the conversation — once you say it clearly, the questioning has to end. Indiana’s Public Defender Council tells young people the same thing directly: the police must stop talking to you if you ask for an attorney.
Important: these are state-level protections. They apply strongly in North Carolina and Indiana, and many other states have similar rules — but the specific rights you have depend on where you live. Regardless of your state, clearly asking for a lawyer is always the right move.
Here’s the catch that a lot of people miss: anything you said BEFORE you asked for a parent or lawyer can still be used against you. So the sooner you say it, the better. Don’t try to talk your way out of the situation first. Just ask — and say it clearly and directly, not as a question.
There’s also an important detail for younger teens. In North Carolina, a juvenile under 16 generally cannot give up — or ‘waive’ — the right to have a parent or attorney present. That means police typically cannot question them at all unless both of these are true: (1) the juvenile gives up their right to remain silent, AND (2) a parent, guardian, or attorney is actually present. If neither condition is met, questioning shouldn’t happen.
The single most important takeaway: if you’re ever being questioned by police and you’re under 18, say clearly and early — ‘I want my parent here’ or ‘I want a lawyer.’ Say it once, say it clearly, and then stay quiet. Don’t wait, don’t explain yourself, don’t try to clear things up first.