Legal Definitions - Miranda Rule

Definition: The Miranda Rule is a legal requirement that police officers must inform a person in custody of their rights before questioning them. These rights include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. The Miranda Rule comes from the Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona.

Example: If a police officer arrests someone and wants to question them, they must first read them their Miranda rights. The officer might say something like:

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you."

This example illustrates how the Miranda Rule works. The police officer must inform the person in custody of their rights before questioning them. If the officer fails to do so, any statements the person makes may not be admissible in court.