The United States Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona (1966) established that individuals taken into police custody must be informed of their rights before being interrogated. This decision aimed to protect the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.
The ruling means that any confession made by a suspect during custodial interrogation can be inadmissible in court unless law enforcement officials provide the “Miranda warnings,” which inform the suspect of their rights to remain silent and to have an attorney present during questioning. Specifically, the warning typically includes:
- The right to remain silent.
- The right to an attorney.
If these rights are not communicated, any confession or statement made by the suspect may be considered involuntary and, therefore, inadmissible as evidence in court. This landmark case emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights of individuals within the criminal justice system.
1 answer