Criminology Term: Miranda Warning
The Miranda warning, aka Miranda rights, is a legal spiel spouted by police officers in the USA to criminal suspects in custody, enlightening them on their rights to stay silent, have an attorney, and be appointed one if they can't afford it.
The Miranda warning is compulsory under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which shield the accused against self-incrimination and guarantee legal counsel.
The Miranda warning is generally delivered before law enforcement agents interrogate a suspect in custody. It advises the suspect that whatever they say can and will be exploited against them in court and that they have the right to remain quiet.
Additionally, it informs them about their right to a lawyer and that if they can't afford one, one will be granted to them.
The Miranda warning was instated by the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona (1966), which ruled that statements made by suspects in custody in reaction to police questioning are inadmissible in court unless the suspect was informed of their Miranda rights and waived them willingly and knowingly.
