Advocates at the Legal Aid Society in New York as well as more than a dozen former and current judges and law enforcement officials are backing a measure that would require minors to have a lawyer present before they are interrogated by law enforcement. 

The measure would also require police to notify a parent before transporting a child when transporting them to a precinct. The goal of the legislation is to ensure that if a minor waives their Miranda rights, they are doing so knowingly and voluntarily. 

At issue for criminal justice advocates is addressing potentially coerced or false confessions from minors, many of whom are children of color. Supporters of the legislation pointed to 17 letters from judges backing the change. 

“Children need the security of an attorney present who can protect their rights and ensure that their statements are reliable and are not being made only for the purpose of relieving them from a frightening situation,” wrote New York City Family Court Judge Judith Waksberg.

The push for the measure comes as advocates seeking changes to New York's criminal justice system are pushing ahead for further measures as lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul are debating potential changes to measures like New York's law limiting cash bail. 

The top Democrats in the state Legislature, meanwhile, have called for broader efforts to address public safety concerns, such as support for mental health care and housing.