“Do we teach our children to be truthful or to impede the course of justice?”
We should teach our children that they have constitutional rights. Is it a good idea to teach kids to be respectful? Of course. A “yes sir” and “no mam” goes a long way. However, the police investigate crime and arrest. They aren’t social workers and they aren’t your “friends”. A simple, “I would rather speak to my parents since I AM A JUVENILE” means the conversation is over. A “I’d rather seek legal counsel” means the conversation is over.
With respect to “ to be truthful”... the police can and will threaten an arrest as a bluff. They are allowed to do so. They can state they have evidence against you and NOT. They can also say a warrant will be issued when they have no intention of doing so. All of this is completely legal. Any person (adult or juvenile) who thinks they should be the “truthful” person and allow any sort of search and answer every question is ignorant not only of their constitutional rights but how the police interact with the public in doing their jobs. Ask any criminal attorney and he/she will tell you (innocent or guilty) to keep your mouth shut, act respectful and always state you want to speak to an attorney (or if you are a juvenile.. you want your parents).
If you are totally innocent withholding information may result in a killer or other violent crimial walking free to commit more violent crimes.
Common sense is that just because a right exists it does not have to be asserted and if one needlessly asserts a right and justice is not allowed to place all of society may suffer. How would your child feel if he or she withheld information that would have convicted a violent criminal and the freed criminal committed one or more murders.