The courts
Miranda warning
The warning police must give before questioning someone in custody: the right to remain silent, that statements can be used in court, and the right to counsel.
In full
Miranda v. Arizona (1966) held that custodial interrogation is inherently coercive, so a suspect must be told their rights before questioning. Statements taken without the warning are generally inadmissible in the prosecution's case. The warning is required only for custodial interrogation, and rights must be invoked clearly to take effect.
Where to go next
Keep going
Browse every term in the glossary, or see the vocabulary in motion in the How government works walkthroughs.
A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.