Miranda v. Arizona

In 1963, Ernesto Miranda was arrested in Phoenix on charges of kidnapping and rape. He was then questioned by police for two hours, eventually signing a confession that he was later convicted on. After his conviction, Miranda appealed, claiming that his confession was invalid because he was coerced and was never advised to his right to an attorney or the right to avoid self-incrimination.

The Supreme Court overturned Miranda's conviction, stating that the police must inform suspects of their rights at the time of arrest and may not be interrogated if they invoke their rights. Chief Justice Warren based his argument on the Fifth Amendment, the right that a person cannot be forced "to be a witness against himself." He said that interrogations were naturally intimidating and that any evidence obtained could be the true statement of the suspect.

As a result of Miranda v. Arizona, police must inform suspects of their rights at the time of arrest, in order to protect innocents from being wrongfully convicted. As a result, anyone who has seen a person be arrested will know the phrase, "you have the right to remain silent." Critics have said that the "Miranda Warning" protects the rights of criminals, and the decision was challenged in 2000. The Supreme Court supported Miranda v Arizona in Dickerson v. United States, saying there is no reason to overturn Miranda and that it has already "become part of our national culture."

-Rainier.