Court Opinion

ID: 9732483
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 16:22:56.529529+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:28.417525
License: Public Domain

NIX, Chief Justice,
dissenting.
I am compelled to dissent because I continue to believe that the application of the totality of the circumstances analysis cannot truly gauge the voluntariness of a juvenile’s waiver of his right to assistance of counsel and his right against self-incrimination. Pa. Const, art. I, § 9. As we have recognized,
[bjecause of the unique disadvantage in the custodial interrogation process of the youthful accused due to his immaturity, ... merely a consideration of the fact of youth in the totality of the circumstances formulation [is] inadequate to insure that a juvenile’s waiver was indeed a knowing one.
In a series of our decisions beginning with Commonwealth v. Roane, [459 Pa. 389, 329 A.2d 286 (1974)], we announced that the administering of Miranda warnings to a juvenile, without providing an opportunity to that juvenile to consult with a mature, informed individual concerned primarily with the interest of the juvenile, was inadequate to offset the disadvantage occasioned by his youth. The new rule [“the” McCutchen rule] appreciates that the inexperience of the minor affects not only his or *525her ability to understand the full implication and consequences of the predicament but also renders the judgment inadequate to assess the spectrum of considerations encompassed in the waiver decision. It was- therefore reasoned that the impediment of immaturity can only be overcome where the record establishes that the youth had access to the advice of an attorney, parent, or other interested adult and that the consulted adult was informed as to the constitutional rights available to the minor and aware of the consequences that might follow the election to behnade. (footnotes and citations omitted). Commonwealth v. Smith, 472 Pa. 492, 497-99, 372 A.2d 797, 800-01 (1977).
I am not confident that the totality of the circumstances approach adequately considers the fact of youth or the impact of the defendant’s immaturity on his ability to effectively waive his rights. Moreover, I believe that the use of the totality formulation, in practice, places upon the defendant the burden of proving that due to his immaturity he did not knowingly and intelligently waive his constitutional rights.* The use of the prophylactic approach of Commonwealth v. McCutchen, 463 Pa. 90, 343 A.2d 669 (1975), however, would assure that where the opportunity for consultation is not provided the waiver will not be effective.
The attack upon McCutchen has in large measure been inspired by the heinous nature of the crimes the juvenile is capable of committing. This capability on the part of some juveniles, however, does not warrant a relaxing of our vigil in determining whether the custodial statements are voluntarily made. It is legitimate to punish the juvenile offender for the crime he commits, and that punishment should be commensurate with the crime committed. However, re*526gardless of the nature of the crime, the procedure by which we adjudicate his guilt should not ignore the impediment of immaturity.
I reluctantly joined the majority in Commonwealth v. Christmas, 502 Pa. 218, 465 A.2d 989 (1983), which represented a watered down protection of the minor’s rights. I did so believing that this compromise would nevertheless be better than reverting to the former totality standard. ' Since the majority has today rejected Christmas and insists upon the reinstatement of the totality standard, I express my dissent and reaffirm my belief in the McCutchen approach.

 Under the law, the Commonwealth has the burden of proving a knowing and intelligent waiver of the rights in question. Commonwealth v. Fogan, 449 Pa. 552, 296 A.2d 755 (1972). However, since the immaturity of the youthful defendant is only one factor among many considered under the totality formulation, in effect, the real significance of the defendant’s immaturity on his waiver decision must be carried by the defense.