Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ARIZONA
U.S. Supreme Court
June 13, 1966
384 U.S. 436
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conviction and ordered the confession suppressed because, "Miranda was not in
any way apprised of his right to consult with an attorney and to have one present
during the interrogation." Even though Miranda admitted he never requested
counsel and was not subjected to any form of physical mistreatment, threats,
trickery, promises or coercion.
The only wrongdoing by police was that Miranda was not told he had a 5th
Amendment right to have an attorney present during the interview.
"Our holding ... is this: the prosecution may not use statements ...
stemming from custodial interrogation of the defendant unless it demonstrates the
use of procedural safeguards effective to secure the privilege against self-
incrimination. By custodial interrogation, we mean questioning initiated by law
enforcement officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise
deprived of his freedom of action in any significant way ... Prior to any
questioning, the person must be warned that he has a right to remain silent, that
any statement he does make may be used as evidence against him, and that he
has a right to the presence of an attorney, either retained or appointed. The
defendant may waive ... these rights, provided the waiver is made voluntarily,
knowingly and intelligently."
Furthermore, "If the individual indicates in any manner, at any time prior to
or during questioning, that he wishes to remain silent, the interrogation must
cease ... If the individual states that he wants an attorney, the interrogation must
cease until an attorney is present."
And, "... any evidence that the accused was threatened, tricked, or cajoled
into a waiver will, of course, show that the defendant did not voluntarily waive his
privilege."
(Many so-called interrogation experts today are clearly not aware of how
many times the word "trickery" or "trick" appeared in this famous opinion. "The
interrogators sometimes are instructed to induce a confession out of trickery"
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And, "The police then persuade, trick or cajole him out of exercising his
constitutional rights." And, "... to guard against intimidation or trickery." To cite
just a few of the admonitions relating to trickery. Trickery clearly offended the
Miranda court.)
In law enforcement, Miranda v. Arizona is not merely a landmark case. It is
the landmark case. The Miranda warning of rights is the best known law
enforcement rule in society. School children can recite the warnings. Everyone
knows them. Everyone, of course, except Detective Andy Sipowicz of NYPD
Blue.
A poll of American Bar Association members in 1976, on the 10-year
anniversary of Miranda, ranked the decision fourth in importance among all legal
history milestones, but first in criminal law.
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