Police interrogations often rely on psychological techniques designed to elicit confessions or incriminating statements.
While adults may better recognize and resist these tactics, juveniles and young adults are uniquely vulnerable to deception, coercion, and manipulation.
Recognizing this risk, California enacted Assembly Bill 2644 (AB 2644), a landmark law that significantly restricts how law enforcement may interrogate juveniles and young people.
Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2022 and effective January 1, 2024, AB 2644 prohibits deceptive and psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics during custodial interrogations of individuals under the age of 25.
If police violate these rules, any resulting statements may be deemed involuntary and inadmissible in court.
Your best hope for a favorable outcome is with a highly experienced criminal defense attorney at Eisner Gorin LLP. To schedule a consultation, call (818) 781-1570 or contact us here.
What Is Assembly Bill 2644?
Assembly Bill 2644 is designed to protect juveniles and young adults from coercive police interrogation practices that have historically led to false confessions and wrongful convictions.
The law prohibits law enforcement officers from using:
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Threats
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Physical harm
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Deception
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Psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics
during a custodial interrogation of a person under 25 years old.
AB 2644 reflects modern research showing that brain development, impulse control, and susceptibility to authority continue well into a person's mid-twenties.
Who Is Protected Under AB 2644?
AB 2644 applies to:
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Minors under 18, and
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Young adults aged 18 to 24
This expansion goes beyond prior California law, which primarily focused on individuals 17 and younger. The legislature explicitly recognized that people under 25 are more likely to:
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Confess falsely
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Misunderstand legal rights
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Feel compelled to comply with authority figures
What Interrogation Tactics Are Now Prohibited?
Under AB 2644, law enforcement may not use deceptive or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics on protected individuals.
Prohibited Tactics Include:
Deception
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Knowingly presenting false evidence
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Misrepresenting the strength or existence of evidence
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Making false statements about leniency or consequences
Psychological Manipulation
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Presuming guilt despite denials
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Employing “forced choice” questioning
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Using intimidation or fear-based tactics
Maximization
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Exaggerating the seriousness of charges
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Claiming overwhelming evidence that does not exist
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Repeatedly asserting guilt to break resistance
Minimization
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Downplaying the moral seriousness of the offense
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Suggesting the conduct was justified or excusable
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Implying the suspect will go free or receive leniency if they confess
Any interrogation technique that relies on a guilt presumption or deceit is prohibited.
What Happens if Police Violate AB 2644?
AB 2644 creates a powerful legal remedy.
Presumption of Involuntariness
Any statement obtained from a protected individual through prohibited tactics is presumed involuntary.
This means:
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The statement cannot be used as direct evidence
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Prosecutors bear the burden of proving voluntariness
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Defense attorneys may file motions to suppress the statements
In many cases, suppression of a confession can dramatically weaken—or entirely derail—the prosecution's case.
Limited Public Safety Exception
The law provides a narrow exception when an officer reasonably believes that immediate questioning is necessary to obtain information about an imminent threat to life or property.
This exception is strictly construed and does not allow general deception or psychological manipulation outside true emergency circumstances.
Additional Safeguards for Juveniles
AB 2644 also strengthens procedural protections, including:
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Mandatory notification: A probation officer must notify the public defender or county indigent defense provider within two hours of a juvenile being taken into custody.
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Enhanced scrutiny of custodial interrogations
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Greater accountability for law enforcement agencies
These safeguards aim to ensure early legal intervention before irreversible damage occurs.
Why Did California Pass AB 2644?
False confessions are a leading cause of wrongful convictions. Studies show:
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Approximately 63% of known false confessors were under 25
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Nearly one-third were under 18
AB 2644 aligns California with states such as Illinois and Oregon, which have enacted similar protections. The law reflects a growing national consensus that deceptive interrogation of youth undermines justice rather than promotes it.
How AB 2644 Changes Juvenile Interrogations in California
Before AB 2644, juveniles under 18 were required to consult with counsel before waiving rights—but police could still use deceptive tactics.
AB 2644 closes that gap by:
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Prohibiting coercive tactics outright
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Recognizing developmental vulnerability
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Shifting focus from confessions to reliability
This represents a fundamental change in how juvenile interrogations are conducted statewide.
What Should You Do if AB 2644 Was Violated?
If you or your child were subjected to prohibited interrogation tactics, immediate action is critical.
Steps to Take:
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Contact an experienced defense attorney immediately
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Document everything about the interrogation
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Request all recordings and reports
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Do not sign anything without legal advice
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Challenge the admissibility of any statements obtained
Early legal intervention can mean the difference between dismissal and prosecution.
Speak With a California Juvenile Defense Attorney
If police used deceptive or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics on a juvenile or young adult, your rights may have been violated under Assembly Bill 2644.
Eisner Gorin LLP, based in Los Angeles, represents juveniles and young adults throughout California in serious criminal matters and suppression motions involving unlawful police conduct. Strategic defense can protect futures before permanent damage occurs.
Schedule your consultation at (818) 781-1570 or contact us here.
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