In JDB v. North Carolina, which concept governs how Miranda rights are read to juveniles?

• A. The adults-only standard for providing warnings
• B. The requirement to always provide warnings regardless of age
• C. The standard for reading Miranda rights is based on the suspect's age
• D. The child standard for reading Miranda rights

Answer: (D)

Age matters in deciding whether a juvenile is in custody for Miranda purposes. J.D.B. v. North Carolina establishes a child standard: the determination of custody must take a minor’s age into account, recognizing that a young person may feel more coerced or less capable of understanding their rights than an adult. Because of this, the police should consider how a reasonable child of similar age might perceive the situation when deciding whether to give Miranda warnings. This makes the child standard the correct framework for reading rights to juveniles, as it directly addresses how age alters perception of custody and the need for warnings.