Montana Code Annotated

Mont. Code Ann. § 41-5-331 (2026)

Rights Of Youth Taken Into Custody -- Questioning -- Waiver Of Rights

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TITLE 41. MINORS

CHAPTER 5. YOUTH COURT ACT

Part 3. Custody and Detention

Rights Of Youth Taken Into Custody -- Questioning -- Waiver Of Rights

41-5-331. Rights of youth taken into custody -- questioning -- waiver of rights. (1) When a youth is taken into custody for questioning upon a matter that could result in a petition alleging that the youth is either a delinquent youth or a youth in need of intervention, the following requirements must be met:

(a) The youth must be advised of the youth's right against self-incrimination and the youth's right to counsel.

(b) The investigating officer, juvenile probation officer, or person assigned to give notice shall immediately notify the parents, guardian, or legal custodian of the youth that the youth has been taken into custody, the reasons for taking the youth into custody, and where the youth is being held. If the parents, guardian, or legal custodian cannot be found through diligent efforts, a close relative or friend chosen by the youth must be notified.

(2) A youth may waive the rights listed in subsection (1) under the following situations:

(a) when the youth is 16 years of age or older, the youth may make an effective waiver subject to the provisions of 41-5-333(2);

(b) when the youth is under 16 years of age and the youth and the youth's parent or guardian agree, they may make an effective waiver subject to the provisions of 41-5-333(2); or

(c) when the youth is under 16 years of age and the youth and the youth's parent or guardian do not agree, the youth may make an effective waiver only with advice of counsel.

History: En. 10-1218 by Sec. 18, Ch. 329, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 100, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 571, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 10-1218(1)(a), (1)(b); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 385, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 475, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 515, L. 1987; (2) thru (6) En. Sec. 1, Ch. 475, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 271, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 547, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 286, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 76, Ch. 550, L. 1997; Sec. 41-5-303, MCA 1995; redes. 41-5-331 by Sec. 47, Ch. 286, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 63, Ch. 2, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 37, L. 2009.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 22 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1999–2024 · leading case: State v. Ellis, 2009 MT 192, 210 P.3d 144.
State v. Ellis, 2009 MT 192, 210 P.3d 144. · cites it 24× “We observed in Schwarz that [a]lthough § 41-5-331, MCA, only addresses a youth's constitutional right against self-incrimination, it nonetheless supports the principle that a minor who cannot waive her own rights without parental permission or legal counsel, cannot waive her…”
Evans v. Montana Eleventh Jud. Dist. Court, 2000 MT 38, 995 P.2d 455. · cites it 15× “¶ 13 Evans filed a motion to suppress his confession in District Court on the basis that his waiver of rights while in custody, without consent of his parent or advice of counsel, was invalid under § 41-5-331, MCA, and that his confession was not knowing and voluntary.”
State v. McKee, 2006 MT 5, 127 P.3d 445. · cites it 11× “Section 41-5-331, MCA, states the following: 41-5-331.”
State v. Cates, 2009 MT 94, 204 P.3d 1224. · cites it 8× “Prior to the interrogation, Officer Danzer advised Cates of his Miranda rights but did not properly advise him of his right to parental notification under § 41-5-331(1)(b), MCA, which reads as follows: When a youth is taken into custody for questioning upon a matter that could…”
State v. Elison, 2000 MT 288, 14 P.3d 456. · cites it 4× “2d 455, 458 (discussing definition of "youth taken into custody for questioning" pursuant to § 41-5-331, MCA). ¶ 32 Elison also claims that Officer Conrad's prearrest questioning exceeded *466 the scope of the stop because it was not designed to determine whether he was a…”
In re Z.M., 2007 MT 122, 160 P.3d 490. · cites it 7× “Section 41-5-331, MCA, provides in relevant part: (1) When a youth is taken into custody for questioning upon a matter that could result in a petition alleging that the youth is either a delinquent youth or a youth in need of intervention, the following requirements must be met:…”
State v. Schwarz, 2006 MT 120, 136 P.3d 989. · cites it 6× “Although § 41-5-331, MCA, only addresses a youth’s constitutional right against self-incrimination, it nonetheless supports the principle that a minor who cannot waive her own rights without parental permission or legal counsel, cannot waive her parent’s privacy rights.”
State v. R. Talksabout, 2017 MT 79, 392 P.3d 574. · cites it 4× “By analogy, the youth court may order a pre-dispositional “psychological evaluation” of a youth “if the youth waives the youth’s constitutional rights in the manner provided for in” § 41-5-331, MCA. Section 41-5-1503, MCA. At the time of the pre-adjudication psychosexual…”
In re C.T.P., 2004 MT 63, 87 P.3d 399. · cites it 13× “Under § 41-5-331, MCA, a youth must be advised of his right against self-incrimination and his right to counsel, and the record does not reflect that this was done for C.”
In re C.L., 2004 MT 71, 87 P.3d 462. · cites it 11× “’s motion to suppress his confession? ¶9 Section 41-5-331, MCA, provides, in pertinent part, as follows: (1) When a youth is taken into custody for questioning upon a *372 matter that could result in a petition alleging that the youth is either a delinquent youth or a youth in…”
Nicholas v. People, 973 P.2d 1213 (Colo. 1999). “11 (1997); Mont.Code Ann. § 41-5-331(2) (1998); N.C.”
In re K.J., 2010 MT 41, 231 P.3d 75. · cites it 3× “equates this situation to a “custodial interrogation” that triggers the procedural requirements of § 41-5-331, MCA. ¶17 The State counters that K.”
Mont. Code Ann. § 41-5-331(1): 2 cases
In re C.T.P., 2004 MT 63, 87 P.3d 399. “Under § 41-5-331, MCA, a youth must be advised of his right against self-incrimination and his right to counsel, and the record does not reflect that this was done for C.”
In Re CTP, 2004 MT 63, 87 P.3d 399.
Mont. Code Ann. § 41-5-331(1)(b): 1 case
State v. Cates, 2009 MT 94, 204 P.3d 1224. “Prior to the interrogation, Officer Danzer advised Cates of his Miranda rights but did not properly advise him of his right to parental notification under § 41-5-331(1)(b), MCA, which reads as follows: When a youth is taken into custody for questioning upon a matter that could…”
Mont. Code Ann. § 41-5-331(2): 6 cases
State v. Ellis, 2009 MT 192, 210 P.3d 144. “We observed in Schwarz that [a]lthough § 41-5-331, MCA, only addresses a youth's constitutional right against self-incrimination, it nonetheless supports the principle that a minor who cannot waive her own rights without parental permission or legal counsel, cannot waive her…”
State v. Schwarz, 2006 MT 120, 136 P.3d 989. “Although § 41-5-331, MCA, only addresses a youth’s constitutional right against self-incrimination, it nonetheless supports the principle that a minor who cannot waive her own rights without parental permission or legal counsel, cannot waive her parent’s privacy rights.”
Nicholas v. People, 973 P.2d 1213 (Colo. 1999). “11 (1997); Mont.Code Ann. § 41-5-331(2) (1998); N.C.”
In re C.T.P., 2004 MT 63, 87 P.3d 399. “Under § 41-5-331, MCA, a youth must be advised of his right against self-incrimination and his right to counsel, and the record does not reflect that this was done for C.”
In Re CTP, 2004 MT 63, 87 P.3d 399.
Mont. Code Ann. § 41-5-331(2)(a): 2 cases
In re S.M.S., 2010 MT 18, 225 P.3d 781.
In Re Sms, 2010 MT 18, 225 P.3d 781.
Mont. Code Ann. § 41-5-331(2)(b): 2 cases
In re C.L., 2004 MT 71, 87 P.3d 462. “’s motion to suppress his confession? ¶9 Section 41-5-331, MCA, provides, in pertinent part, as follows: (1) When a youth is taken into custody for questioning upon a *372 matter that could result in a petition alleging that the youth is either a delinquent youth or a youth in…”
In Re Cl, 2004 MT 71, 87 P.3d 462.
Mont. Code Ann. § 41-5-331(l)(b): 2 cases
State v. Cates, 2009 MT 94, 204 P.3d 1224. “Prior to the interrogation, Officer Danzer advised Cates of his Miranda rights but did not properly advise him of his right to parental notification under § 41-5-331(1)(b), MCA, which reads as follows: When a youth is taken into custody for questioning upon a matter that could…”
State v. McKee, 2006 MT 5, 127 P.3d 445. “Section 41-5-331, MCA, states the following: 41-5-331.”
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