
The Miranda rights, rooted in three amendments to the U.S. Constitution, include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Suspects can expressly or implicitly waive these rights, as long as they do so knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently. An express waiver can be made through direct statements or written forms, while an implied waiver can occur when a suspect behaves in a way that indicates a voluntary waiver of their rights, such as by making self-incriminating statements after being informed of their Miranda rights. In New York, invoking the right to remain silent and then re-initiating communication with the police has been held to constitute a waiver of Miranda rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Miranda rights | Right to remain silent and the right to an attorney |
| Waiver of Miranda rights | Express or Implied |
| Implied waiver | Suspect behaves in a way that indicates a knowing and voluntary waiver of Miranda rights |
| Express waiver | Direct statements, written forms, or actions demonstrating an intent to waive Miranda rights |
| Invocation of Miranda rights | Must be unambiguous |
| Validity of waiver | The government must prove that a defendant's waiver was knowing, voluntary, and intelligent |
| Re-initiation of communication | If a suspect re-initiates communication with police after invoking their Miranda rights, this constitutes a waiver |
| Break in Miranda custody | If there is a break in custody of more than 14 days, any subsequent waiver of Miranda rights may be considered voluntary |
| Public safety exception | The Court has created a "public safety" exception for serious offenses, allowing certain evidence to be admissible despite a Miranda violation |
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What You'll Learn

Re-initiating communication with police after invoking the right to remain silent
The Miranda rights include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Once a suspect tells law enforcement that they wish to exercise either of these rights, the police must generally stop questioning them. However, a suspect can waive their Miranda rights, which allows the police to resume questioning.
Suspects can expressly or implicitly waive their constitutional rights to remain silent or to be represented by an attorney. To expressly waive their rights, a suspect must use direct statements or written forms. An implied waiver means that the suspect behaves in a way that indicates a knowing and voluntary waiver of Miranda rights. For example, if a suspect makes self-incriminating statements during a police interrogation after being notified of their Miranda rights, this may constitute an implied waiver.
In the case of Berghuis v. Thompkins, the Supreme Court held that an implied waiver can occur if a suspect remains silent for a while before making self-incriminating statements. The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has also held that a suspect's Miranda rights are not violated if they reinitiate communication with police after initially invoking their Miranda rights. In such cases, a waiver can occur subsequent to the initial invocation of Miranda rights.
It's important to note that any waiver of Miranda rights must be voluntary and not coerced by law enforcement. A court will closely review the circumstances to ensure that the defendant understood their rights and that the police did not manipulate them into waiving their rights. Additionally, Miranda rights do not apply endlessly once invoked. If an individual leaves police custody and returns or is brought back into custody after a significant period (generally 14 or more days later), they must invoke their Miranda rights again, or they will be waived.
In New York, there have been cases where defendants have challenged their convictions on the basis that their Miranda rights were violated. In one case, the defendant argued that his confession was obtained in violation of his Fifth Amendment right after he reinitiated communication with police. The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that the defendant's rights were not violated because he reinitiated the contact, and his confession was obtained after an extended explanation of his rights and options.
To properly invoke your right to remain silent, it is essential to clearly and unambiguously state your intention to the police. This can be done by simply stating, "I'm invoking my right to remain silent and my right to an attorney." It is important to remember that providing basic information, such as your address or medical needs, is necessary during an arrest. However, you should refrain from giving any further information to the police after invoking your rights.
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Implied waiver through suspect behaviour
Suspects can expressly or implicitly waive their constitutional rights to remain silent or to be represented by an attorney. An implied waiver means that the suspect behaves in a way that indicates a knowing and voluntary waiver of their Miranda rights.
For example, in Berghuis v. Thompkins, the Supreme Court ruled that a suspect's Miranda rights were waived when, after being read his rights, he remained largely silent during a three-hour interrogation. The suspect's silence was interpreted as an implied waiver because he continued to make statements after being notified of his Miranda rights. This implied waiver can also apply if the suspect is silent for a while before making self-incriminating statements.
In another case, U.S. v. Gonzales, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that a suspect's Miranda rights were not violated because the suspect reinitiated communication after initially invoking their right to remain silent. The court found that a waiver can occur subsequent to an initial invocation of Miranda rights if the suspect reinitiates communication.
It is important to note that any waiver of Miranda rights must be voluntary and not coerced by law enforcement. A court will closely review the circumstances of the waiver to ensure that the defendant understood their rights and that the police did not manipulate them into waiving those rights. Suspects can revoke their Miranda rights at any point during questioning, and law enforcement officials should cease interrogation once the suspect invokes this right.
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Law enforcement coercion
Law enforcement officials are required to administer Miranda warnings to protect individuals in custody from violating their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. This is a right that individuals have when they are in police custody or are being interrogated by law enforcement officials.
Miranda rights include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Once a suspect tells the police that they wish to exercise either of these rights, the police must stop questioning them. However, there are situations in which a suspect may waive their Miranda rights, allowing police to resume questioning. Any waiver must be voluntary and not coerced by law enforcement.
In New York, police are required to read Miranda rights to individuals when they are under custody and the police intend to interrogate them. If the police fail to do so, any statements made by the defendant may be inadmissible in court. However, if a suspect waives their Miranda rights, the police can continue their interrogation, and any statements made can be used as evidence in court.
To waive Miranda rights, suspects must knowingly and voluntarily do so. An express waiver is not necessary, but most law enforcement agencies use written waiver forms. Suspects can waive their rights through direct statements, written forms, or actions demonstrating an intent to waive them.
Courts will closely review the circumstances of the waiver to ensure that the defendant understood their Miranda rights and that the police did not coerce or manipulate them into waiving their rights. The judge will consider the totality of the circumstances in determining whether the suspect's statements were voluntary.
If a suspect feels that their Miranda rights have been violated due to police coercion, they should contact a criminal law attorney for assistance.
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Validity of the Miranda form
The validity of the Miranda form has been a subject of debate and contention over the years, with several court cases challenging and upholding its validity. The Miranda rights, arising from the case of Miranda v. Arizona, are a set of legal protections that ensure individuals in police custody are informed of their rights before interrogation. These rights include the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the right to know that anything said may be used against them.
The validity of the Miranda form is crucial as it ensures that any statements made by the defendant can be used as evidence in court. If the Miranda rights are not read to a defendant before interrogation, their statements may be deemed inadmissible in court. This means that law enforcement officers must ensure that individuals understand their rights and voluntarily waive them if they choose to do so.
The validity of the Miranda form has been tested in various court cases, including Harris v. New York, where it was held that a confession obtained in violation of Miranda standards could be used to impeach the defendant's testimony. In Berghuis v. Thompkins, the Supreme Court held that a suspect's behaviour could constitute an implied waiver of Miranda rights if they continue to make statements after being informed of their rights.
In New York, the validity of the Miranda form is particularly important, as law enforcement is required to read the Miranda warnings during arrests and interrogations. If the Miranda rights are not read, any statements made by the defendant may be inadmissible in court. New York criminal defence lawyers often assist defendants in challenging confessions obtained without the benefit of Miranda rights.
The validity of the Miranda form is also dependent on the circumstances of the waiver. The waiver must be voluntary and not coerced by law enforcement. A court will review the totality of the circumstances to ensure the defendant understood their rights and was not manipulated into waiving them. Additionally, Miranda rights do not apply indefinitely once invoked; if an individual leaves police custody and returns or is brought back into custody after a certain period, they must invoke their rights again.
In conclusion, the validity of the Miranda form is crucial in ensuring that individuals' rights are protected during police interrogations. The form has been upheld by courts, and its validity is dependent on law enforcement officers properly informing individuals of their rights and obtaining voluntary waivers if the individuals choose to waive them.
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Understanding of rights
Understanding your Miranda rights is crucial if you are ever arrested or placed in police custody. Miranda rights are a set of warnings that law enforcement officers must provide to individuals in custody before conducting interrogations. These rights inform the detained individual of their constitutional rights, protecting them from self-incrimination during questioning.
The Miranda rights include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. The right to remain silent means that you do not have to answer any questions asked by the police. If you give up this right and choose to answer questions, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. It's important to note that you have the right to remain silent even if you are not in custody or being interrogated. However, anything you say voluntarily before being read your Miranda rights can still be used against you in court.
The right to an attorney means that you have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. If you decide to answer questions without an attorney present, you still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney.
After issuing the Miranda warnings, the police may ask waiver questions to determine if the suspect understands their rights and wishes to waive them. Common waiver questions include, "Do you understand each of these rights I have explained to you?" and "Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us now?" An affirmative answer to both of these questions waives the suspect's rights. However, it's important to note that a suspect can invoke their Miranda rights at any time, even after they have already spoken to the police.
Miranda rights do not apply endlessly once invoked. If an individual leaves police custody and returns or is brought back into custody after a certain period (usually 14 or more days later), they will need to invoke their Miranda rights again, or they will be waived. Additionally, a waiver can occur if a suspect reinitiates communication after initially invoking their Miranda rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Miranda rights refer to the rights of criminal suspects to remain silent and to be represented by an attorney during police interrogation. These rights are derived from the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Miranda rights must be read when a suspect is in police custody and is about to be interrogated. They do not apply to probation officers or when the suspect is not being questioned.
A suspect can waive their Miranda rights either expressly or implicitly. An express waiver can be through direct statements or written forms, while an implied waiver is when a suspect behaves in a way that indicates a knowing and voluntary waiver of their rights, such as making self-incriminating statements after being read their rights.
If a suspect invokes their Miranda rights, law enforcement must stop questioning them. However, the suspect can revoke their Miranda rights at any time and agree to resume questioning. Any statements made before invoking their rights can still be used as evidence.
























