Do Miranda rights apply only during custody and interrogation?

Do Miranda rights apply only during custody and interrogation?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only during arrest
• D. Only in state cases

Answer: (A)

Miranda rights are intended to protect a suspect's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and are specifically triggered when an individual is both in custody and subjected to interrogation. This means that if a person is not free to leave (in custody) and is being questioned by law enforcement, they must be informed of their rights to remain silent and to have an attorney present. When examining the concept of "custody," it refers to a situation where a reasonable person would feel they are not free to walk away. The interrogation part emphasizes that these rights come into play during questioning, not merely during an arrest or any encounter with law enforcement. Therefore, the applicability of Miranda rights is limited to this specific scenario rather than in broader contexts like all arrests or in state cases alone, leading to the conclusion that they apply exclusively during both custody and interrogation circumstances.

Miranda rights are intended to protect a suspect's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and are specifically triggered when an individual is both in custody and subjected to interrogation. This means that if a person is not free to leave (in custody) and is being questioned by law enforcement, they must be informed of their rights to remain silent and to have an attorney present.

When examining the concept of "custody," it refers to a situation where a reasonable person would feel they are not free to walk away. The interrogation part emphasizes that these rights come into play during questioning, not merely during an arrest or any encounter with law enforcement. Therefore, the applicability of Miranda rights is limited to this specific scenario rather than in broader contexts like all arrests or in state cases alone, leading to the conclusion that they apply exclusively during both custody and interrogation circumstances.