Child statement

septicsac

Hi, recently a teacher asked my 10 yr old to sign a statement in the absence of both parents or any other adult present, apart from herself, is this legal?
I know gardai will not take a statement from a minor/child, except in exceptional circumstances, in the absence of a parent or nominated adult, so surely a teacher cannot either?

Penny Tration

Well what was the statement? When I was eleven, we had to sign religious statements to promise not to drink, have sex outside of marriage or use drugs

heldel00

I have used this myself before in a very general way.
Such as: "so you didn't climb over the playground wall to get the ball without permission? Right ok we'll just jot that down here in my notes before I check the camera. You're happy enough to sign it because you didn't leave the yard isn't that right?"

The child usually tells the truth before it gets to that stage but some don't like to give in. It's more applicable in older classes. It's not a legal document obviously and goes in the bin afterwards.

Not saying OP that your child did anything wrong but I'm just giving you an example of when a child might have to sign a "statement" at school.

purplecow1977

heldel00 wrote: »

I have used this myself before in a very general way.
Such as: "so you didn't climb over the playground wall to get the ball without permission? Right ok we'll just jot that down here in my notes before I check the camera. You're happy enough to sign it because you didn't leave the yard isn't that right?"

The child usually tells the truth before it gets to that stage but some don't like to give in. It's more applicable in older classes. It's not a legal document obviously and goes in the bin afterwards.

Not saying OP that your child did anything wrong but I'm just giving you an example of when a child might have to sign a "statement" at school.

Exactly, although I would usually send it home to be signed by parent also.

ted1

Depends on what the statement is.

I state that I didn't use the blue paint.

Is a lot different than

I state the I saw mr/mrs X touch toms PeePee.

purplecow1977

ted1 wrote:

I state that I didn't use the blue paint.

ted1 wrote:

Depends on what the statement is.

ted1 wrote:

Is a lot different than

ted1 wrote:

I state the I saw mr/mrs X touch toms PeePee.

Haha definitely an important difference

I usually ask them to write it if they've punched someone in yard or told someone to f off! Or deliberately damaged something.