Teach kids their Miranda rights, group says | Your comments

Decarcerate the Garden State says students need to know their rights.

COLLINGSWOOD -- If police are going to be present in schools and investigate incidents with a potential criminal aspect -- as was the case in Collingswood -- Decarcerate the Garden State says students need to know their rights.

The group weighed in this week, following a dispute between school officials, police and the prosecutor's office that results in teachers calling police to investigate even the most minor incidents. Parents were upset that their students were being interrogated, even at an elementary-age level.

The group's pitch is this: Add lessons to school curriculum that teaches students to not incriminate themselves or others by offering more information to police than what's necessary.

Here's what some NJ.com readers had to say about the suggestion that was sent to New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner David Hespe.

- Jessica: "I sure hope these cops are not talking to the kids before their parents get there like they are supposed to. Kids have rights, too."

- bengal62: "Sure, add this wacko course to the curriculum. These kids are graduating with no idea what state they live in or who their governor is. Unable to make change or address a letter but we definitely want to make sure they know their rights. What a stupid idea."

- Salt Water: "I was never instructed on how to handle myself around police officers by my mom and dad. I was instructed on how to handle myself as a human being. Perhaps that's why I never needed to have specialized instruction. So far it's worked out for me."

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- willowville: "Teachers can no longer make common sense judgment calls in their classrooms. Neither can principals. Every parent thinks their kid is innocent and wants to sue. The cops have to be called and a court case initiated. The answer is charter schools. If you don't like how your child is treated, you are free to take him out and go elsewhere. The principal should have the last word in the school, or else the whole thing won't work."

- NJPropertyTaxes: "This is a great idea. Children should understand from a young age what they're dealing with when in the presence of police."

- NJay: "Nevermind teaching children their right to remain silent. How about school administrators and the police exercising some common sense? How about letting kids be kids?"

- verytired52: "This is where political correctness has gotten us. Everyone is afraid of reprimanding a child because the next thing you know there's a lawsuit. We as a nation need to get back to teaching in schools. Teachers spend so much time as mediators, it is affecting the education of the children. I can't blame the teachers for not wanting to deal with this crud in such a litigious society."