An appropriate adult is a legal classification of a person over the age of 18—who is the guardian of a child or who is on hand to act as a guardian if no parent can be located. The law requires that children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult when being interviewed by law enforcement.
If a child under the age of 18 is arrested for a crime and law enforcement is unable to contact their parent or legal guardian, then social services will be called and a guardian locum will be sent to sit in with the child during any legal questioning.