Miranda Rights
Protecting the Rights of the Accused
The Library of American Laws and Legal Principles
In the case of Miranda v. Arizona, the Supreme Court ruled that statements made by a person accused of a crime could not be used as evidence at trial unless the person "voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently" waived the constitutional right to remain silent. This decision had a major impact on law enforcement, creating a new procedure for police officers questioning or obtaining confessions from suspects. This book is a thorough but accessible study of the legal arguments behind the ruling as well as an examination of the decision's legacy and effects on law enforcement.