National’s proposal to take away the right to silence w/ University of Auckland Professor of Law, Scott Optican: 28th October 2026
The National Party is proposing to make it illegal to remain silent if a child, under 12 years old, was murdered in your presence.
If this gets approved, it will take away the right to remain silent, a fundamental legal principle that protects against self-incrimination.
Critics argue that the right to remain silent helps prevent false confessions and protects innocent people.
However, the opposing side argues that the current law could protect guilty people at the expense of murdered children.
So, to learn more about this proposal and its impacts. Producer Jude spoke to the University of…
The skinny
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