The state Supreme Court has ruled that student statements to school officials in disciplinary proceedings can't be used by police for criminal charges unless the juvenile waived the right to remain silent.
The court's ruling came Thursday in a case involving a teenager at Kirtland Central High School.
During questioning by an assistant principal, the student admitted to drinking and bringing alcohol to school. A San Juan County deputy sheriff was present and heard the student's statements.
The teenager refused to answer the deputy's questions about possessing alcohol after being advised of the right to remain silent.
The justices reversed a Court of Appeals ruling that had allowed the student's statements to be used in juvenile court proceedings on a criminal charge of a minor in possession of alcohol.
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