Criminal Law
Miranda Rights
Definition
Miranda rights are the constitutional warnings that law enforcement must give to individuals in custodial interrogation, as required by Miranda v. Arizona. An officer must inform the suspect of their right to remain silent, that anything they say can be used against them, their right to an attorney, and that an attorney will be provided if they cannot afford one. Statements obtained without Miranda warnings are inadmissible in the prosecution's case-in-chief, though they may be used for impeachment.
Example
A police officer arrests a suspect and immediately begins questioning without reading Miranda warnings. Any statements obtained are suppressed in the prosecution's case-in-chief.