WASHINGTON STATE — Law enforcement advocates plan to push for changes to a state law many have said limit their ability to speak with minors to help them solve crimes, which which hindered certain investigations.

Some say this prevents justice from being served in many cases.

The law has been in effect for about two years now, requiring law enforcement to provide access to an attorney before questioning minor children.

Many believe this law was passed with good intentions to protect the rights of minor children in criminal investigations, but some say this law has had unintended consequences and want to see changes.

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“Unfortunately, we’re seeing sort of a reduction in victims’ rights to get justice because it’s very difficult under this law for detectives and officers to figure out what happened if multiple juveniles are involved in a case special”, Steve Strachan with the Washington Sheriffs and Police Association The leaders said.

An example occurred recently in Everett when three juvenile boys were arrested. in connection with a triple fatal accidentbut police said they had to be released after officers were limited in their ability to question the boys.

Sen. Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro Wooley) said several agencies in the area he represents have come forward to seek changes to the law after seeing its effects on their investigations.

“I received a report from an agency that the mother of a young man had heard that her son had brought a loaded gun to school,” Wagoner said. “He was contacted by school officials, a loaded gun fell from his waistband, and that was it.”

“The police chief expressed frustration at not being able to ask questions as simple as, ‘Why did you think you had to carry a gun?’ Are you in danger? Do you feel in danger? Where did you get it? So all these questions were never answered because they were never asked.

Law enforcement agencies are considering changes to the law requiring officers to allow minors access to an attorney before being questioned.

“Having some sort of parental approval when it comes to this type of case could be very helpful,” said Marco Monteblanco, of the Washington Fraternal Order of Police. “We’ve seen many situations where minors wanted to talk with us so badly, and after they talked to their parents, their parents wanted them to talk to us so bad, but when it comes to immediately contacting an attorney, that’s not the case. ‘stop. progression doesn’t happen, and so just having parental approval could help in these situations.

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs also points to a 24 percent year-over-year increase in juvenile crime statewide as one of its concerns about changing the law.

“We’ve seen an increase, I think, in the number of juveniles who are sort of trafficked into violent crimes because some feel like it’s going to be more difficult to charge and prosecute juveniles.” , Strachan said.

There is also some confusion over whether this law applies to child witnesses or only suspects, and advocates want the law clarified to define what is allowed.

Bills proposed by Democrats earlier this year sought to change the law so that minors could provide evidence that could clear them of wrongdoing and to make other changes to the law, but those bills did not. haven’t seen much progress in the legislature.

A bill is expected to be introduced again in the next legislative session, and lawmakers on both sides have expressed interest in working on the issue.

“No one wants to see someone’s rights violated or a minor intimidated,” Wagoner said. “But what we want is a pathway for police officers to feel empowered to obtain vital information that can save lives and make our communities safer.”