Thomas L. Thomas v. United States

This appeal tenders complex questions regarding the constitutional rights of a juvenile in a proceeding under the Juvenile Delinquency Act, 18 U.S.C. § 5031 . We are invited to decide the extent to which the strict procedural safeguards afforded to adults in criminal matters are applicable to juvenile delinquency proceedings. In particular, issues are presented which bring into play a wide spectrum of doctrines regarding right to counsel, unlawful detention, involuntary confessions, right against self-incrimination and burden of proof. However, since we believe that the case must be reversed on still another ground, we do not pass on these questions.

The facts, so far as pertinent to our disposition of this case, are as follows: Appellant, a fifteen year old boy, was prosecuted under the Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act [ 18 U.S.C. § 5031 ], for having violated a criminal law of the United States, [ 18 U.S.C. § 641 ]. He was tried by the court without a jury and found guilty as charged.

At the trial the principal evidence introduced was appellant’s confession. In it he admitted that for about six months he had been stealing scrap metal from the Naval Ammunition Depot at…