What is the purpose of the Miranda warnings in criminal cases?
The purpose of the Miranda warnings in criminal cases, specifically in Massachusetts, is to inform suspects of their constitutional rights. The Miranda warnings are triggered when a suspect is in police custody and is subject to interrogation. These rights, which are based on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Miranda v. Arizona, include the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, the right to have an attorney present during questioning, and the right to have an attorney appointed if the suspect cannot afford one. The intent of the Miranda warnings is to protect the rights of criminal suspects. The warnings remind suspects of the limitations on the power of police and government, and that they cannot be forced to incriminate themselves. Knowing they cannot be tricked into admitting guilt or pressured into providing information helps ensure suspects do not make false confessions or waive their right to remain silent. In Massachusetts, a suspect does not need to actually be read the Miranda warnings for the case to be valid in court. In situations where a suspect is not read their rights, the prosecution has to prove that the statement the suspect made was voluntary and not made in response to police pressure or coercion. The Miranda warnings are an important part of criminal procedure and ensure that defendants’ constitutional rights are protected.
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