Definition

1. Noun:
   • A legal rule in the United States: The Miranda rule is a procedural safeguard that requires law enforcement officers to inform a person in custody of specific constitutional rights before conducting an interrogation.
   • The obligation to warn: It obliges police to warn an arrested person that anything they say can be used as evidence in court, and to inform them of their right to have an attorney present and their right to remain silent.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The officer recited the Miranda rule to the suspect before asking any questions.
  • Failure to adhere to the Miranda rule can result in a suspect's statements being excluded from trial.

Advanced Usage

• "To invoke the Miranda rule": To explicitly request or rely on the protections provided by this rule, often by stating a desire to remain silent or to speak with a lawyer.

  • The suspect wisely chose to invoke the Miranda rule and requested an attorney immediately.

• "A Miranda rule warning": The specific verbal notification given by police, often called "reading someone their Miranda rights."

  • After the arrest, the detective gave the suspect a complete Miranda rule warning.

Variants and Related Words

• Miranda rights (n): The specific rights (to remain silent, to have an attorney) that the Miranda rule is designed to protect. This is the common term for the warning itself.

  • He was fully aware of his Miranda rights before he made a statement.

• Mirandize (v, informal): To read a person their Miranda rights.

  • The police must Mirandize a suspect before a custodial interrogation.

Synonyms

• Constitutional warning: A formal term emphasizing the warning's basis in the U.S. Constitution.
• Custodial interrogation requirement: A more technical description of the rule's condition and purpose.

Related Phrases

• To waive one's Miranda rights: To voluntarily give up the right to remain silent or the right to an attorney, usually after being informed of them.

  • The defendant signed a form indicating he intended to waive his Miranda rights.

• Miranda rule violation: An instance where law enforcement fails to properly administer the required warning, potentially making any subsequent confession inadmissible.

  • The defense attorney filed a motion citing a clear Miranda rule violation.

Related Idioms

• "You have the right to remain silent...": The iconic opening phrase of the Miranda warning, often used in popular culture to represent the rule itself.
  • In the movie, the detective began with, "You have the right to remain silent..."

Noun

1. the rule that police (when interrogating you after an arrest) are obliged to warn you that anything you say may be used as evidence and to read you your constitutional rights (the right to a lawyer and the right to remain silent until advised by a lawyer)