Thanks to television, movies, and pop culture in general, you probably know that if you are ever arrested on suspicion of having committed a crime, you have the right to remain silent. But do you know why you have this right or why arrestees are reminded that they have it? If you are not 100% sure, you are almost certainly not alone. Many misconceptions and misunderstandings exist about the series of statements that are commonly referred to as a criminal defendant’s “Miranda rights.”
What Are the Miranda Rights?
We have all seen it on TV: A suspect is arrested and read their Miranda rights. However, it is more accurate to call them Miranda “warnings” or “reminders.” The specific wording may vary slightly, but reading a suspect their rights involves four distinct statements and one question.
The four statements are a reminder that:
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