Can a minor be subjected to a free hearing?

The open hearing allows investigators to interview a minor suspected of committing or attempting to commit a crime infringement (a crime or a offense punishable by imprisonment) without placing her in police custody.

When a minor is heard freely, the officer or judicial police officer shall inform him or her accordingly, by any means, his legal representatives (parents, guardian), the person or service to which the minor is entrusted, if known.

Before proceeding to the open hearing of the minor, the officer or judicial police officer must inform him of the facts of which he is accused and of his rights.

The following information shall be communicated to the minor:

• Characteristic elements (date and place) of the offense for which the minor is suspected
• Right to make statements, answer questions or remain silent (right to silence) 
• Right to leave the premises where the minor is heard at any time
• Right to be informed by an adult responsible for the minor and the right to be accompanied by the minor at the hearing, except in special circumstances
• Right to the appointment of a appropriate adult, in place of the person responsible for the minor, to assist him or her throughout the procedure
• Right to an interpreter
• Right to be assisted by a lawyer chosen by the minor or committed by the President of the Bar if the offense for which he is being heard is an offense or a crime liable to imprisonment
• Conditions for access to legal aid
• Designation modes for a court-appointed lawyer
• Places where you can get legal advice, possibly free of charge, before this hearing

This information must also be given to legal representatives or the person or service to which the minor is entrusted. However, in order to protect the minor or for the proper conduct of the investigation, the judicial police officer or officer may decide to not to pass on all of this information to them. In such cases, the minor may appoint an adult to accompany him or her and receive this information. This is theappropriate adult. If the minor chooses none, the magistrate duty designate one.

All information provided to the minor and the persons responsible for him or her must be included in the report.

The Minor is obligatory assisted by a lawyer when he is suspected of having committed offense or a crime punished with a prison sentence.

He may himself apply for the appointment of a lawyer.

The request may also be made on his behalf by the adults responsible for him or by theappropriate adult.

If the minor did not seek legal assistance, the investigators must report it to the adults responsible for it. They must communicate this information to them at the same time as information concerning the free hearing and the rights and guarantees of the minor.

Where the minor and his or her legal representatives have not requested the assistance of a lawyer, the magistrate in charge of the case, the officer or the judicial police officer must inform the bastler. He then appoints a public defender.

Contrary to the interrogations of minors in detention in police custody or detention which are the subject of an audiovisual recording, the recording of the free hearing of a minor is not compulsory, in particular for the following reasons:

• The minor's lawyer is present at the hearing
• The minor shall not be deprived of his liberty