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What is the Miranda warning?

The Miranda warning is a statement police officers must read to a suspect before making an arrest. The warning states: "You have the right to remain silent; anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You have a right to consult with a lawyer; if you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you." The reading of a person's rights upon arrest is called Mirandizing and is the result of the trial of Ernesto Miranda, who was convicted of kidnapping and rape in Arizona. Miranda had been identified in a police lineup as a suspect in the crime, then under police questioning he made a confession and signed a written statement without being informed that he had a right to consult a lawyer. During the trial, lawyers representing Miranda asserted that suspects have the right to legal representation upon arrest, even if they do not specifically ask for a lawyer. Prosecutors representing the...

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