The Supreme Court helps evaluate legal matters and clarify the federal stance on crucial issues. It was a Supreme Court ruling decades ago that gave rise to the Miranda warning. Named for the defendant in a case that made it all the way to the Supreme court, the Miranda warning involves police officers advising someone about to undergo interrogation of their right to remain silent and to an attorney.
These rights are crucial for those unexpectedly swept up in the criminal justice system, especially for innocent people who hope to prove that they did not commit a crime. The Supreme Court recently ruled on a case that had implications for the Miranda warning and an individual’s Miranda rights.
Some people have claimed that the Supreme Court has done away with the Miranda warning. Is that what the ruling stated?
The Supreme Court has curtailed lawsuits related to the warning
Despite what you may have heard from people at work or on social media, the June 2022 ruling by the Supreme Court does not eradicate Miranda protections, nor does it give police departments carte blanche permission to violate people’s basic constitutional rights.
The Supreme Court simply decided that officers who failed to provide the Miranda warning are not financially liable for that failure. In other words, a defendant who alleges that a police officer violated their rights by not providing them with the Miranda warning cannot take the individual officer involved to court to seek financial compensation.
Defense attorneys may still be able to help those who endured violation of their Miranda rights while in state custody use that violation as part of their defense strategy.
It’s better to know your rights without needing to hear them
While it is important for police officers to tell individuals about their rights, you will be better able to protect yourself if you understand your rights before an interaction with law enforcement. You have the right to an attorney when talking with the police, and you have the right to remain silent even if they claim that your answers could help them with an ongoing investigation.
Knowing your rights and getting help as soon as possible will help you fight back if you find yourself facing criminal charges.