Young people giving a statement to a person in authority must make the statement voluntarily, that is without being promised any benefit if they make the statement and without fear of the consequences if they don't make a statement; must be told by the person in authority that they don't have to make a statement; must be told that any statement they do make may be used as evidence in court; must be told that they may speak to a lawyer, parent or other adult before saying anything; must be told that the adult they contact must be present when they make their statement unless they choose otherwise; must be given a reasonable chance to contact a lawyer, parent or other adult and have that person present when they make a statement. Last Reviewed: August 2012