THE CASE: Miranda v. arizona (1966)
Step 1:
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Background of the Case
Ernesto Miranda had been arrested at his home in Phoenix, Arizona and was accused of kidnapping and rape. He was questioned/interrogated at the police station by two police officers, but was not advised of his right to have an attorney present or his right to remain silent. After two hours of interrogation without being told he could have a lawyer present or being told he could remain silent, Miranda signed a written confession to the crimes. Later at his trial, the State of Arizona found him guilty and sentenced to 20 to 30 years in prison. He appealed his case to the Arizona State Supreme Court and lost. He then appealed his case to the United States Supreme Court. |
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Step III:
Directions: Discuss the following questions after watching the video OR read the iCivics case summary Download iCivics case summaryif you can't watch the video.
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Miranda v. arizona |
Step IV: Summary and Review:
The famous “Miranda warning” you hear on detective shows (and that officers recite in real life) came from this case after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Miranda. Now, if officers question you without reading your rights first, nothing you say during the questioning can be used against you in court. The Supreme Court interpreted the 5th amendment "Due Process" clause and the 6th amendment right to legal counsel as rights that must be informed to you upon arrest and before questioning. (Failing to read your rights does not mean your case will be automatically dismissed.) As for Miranda, the Supreme Court remanded his case back to Arizona where he was put on trial a second time and convicted even WITHOUT his thrown out confession as evidence. The other evidence presented during the case turned out to be enough for a guilty verdict and a sentence of 20-30 years in prison. If you're curious about his fate...he actually was paroled (let out of prison early under certain conditions) after only 5 years in 1972. HOWEVER, he violated his parole, went back to prison for another year, was released, and eventually was stabbed and killed in a bar fight in downtown Phoenix, Arizona in 1976. Please be sure to complete your G.O. on this case before moving on! |
Further Reading:
If you need to dive into the case a bit more, here is the iCivics breakdown of the case
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