Nearly everyone who has ever watched any “cops” shows on TV or movies is generally familiar with the legal requirement that law enforcement officers must read suspects “their rights” before they are questioned about crimes.
That began when a young man named Ernesto Miranda was arrested in Arizona in 1963. He had a long, bad record. He was questioned for a couple of hours about the kidnap and rape of a young woman. Responding under police questioning, he said “That’s the girl,” and wrote a confession.
But his lawyers challenged the circumstances of his confession, despite the statement on the paper that he had signed that said he confessed “with full knowledge of my legal right.”
His case went to the U.S. Supreme Court. It set aside Miranda’s conviction, in 1966, and established “Miranda rights” in law. Those “rights” include that a suspect first “must be read his rights.” They include the right to remain silent, and a warning that anything he says may be held against him, and that if he can’t afford a lawyer he may be provided one.
Miranda was tried again, with his confession excluded. He was convicted and was sentenced to 20 to 30 years in prison. He was paroled in 1972. But he repeatedly found new troubles.