The Police Didn't Read My Rights

The Police Must Read You "Your Rights" ..Right?
Schmierlaw Will Make Sure They Did

There is a deep misunderstanding of the Miranda warning that is perpetuated by what we see on television. The greatest misunderstanding is under what circumstances the police have to give you these warnings. The Court held that in the Miranda case that a person had to be in custody. In later cases ruled that “custody” is whether a reasonable person would believe that he or she was restrained or free to go. Reasonableness is not determined by what defendant's thinks nor is the subjective intent of the police relevant to a court's determination whether an individual is in custody unless the officer makes that intent known. So, an individual who voluntarily goes to a police station is not in custody solely by virtue of an officer's subjective view that the individual is not free to leave. There must be an act indicating the intention to take the person into custody. Another example would be if you were walking on the street and a policeman starts to ask you questions, even though you might feel you could not walk away from the officer, you are not considered in custody, the officer can ask all the questions he wants and Miranda warnings are not required.