Knesset Mandates Defense Counsel for Minors and Disabled Suspects

The Knesset gave final approval to a law requiring defense counsel to be present when police question minors and certain suspects with intellectual, mental health or autism-related disabilities. Investigators must notify eligible suspects of the right before questioning, document any waiver and wait a reasonable period for a lawyer when the right is invoked. The five-year temporary measure allows limited delays when waiting could obstruct an investigation or seriously endanger a person, the public or state security, and excludes security and terrorism offenses. Justice Minister Yariv Levin called the law a historic reform intended to reduce false confessions.