This day in U.S. History: On June 13, 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the Miranda v. Arizona case. The Court found Miranda’s confession to be illegitimate. Further, the Supreme Court found Miranda’s right violated under the 5th and 6th Amendments. The decision came down to a 5-4 vote in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Miranda v. Arizona: The Case
On March 13, 1963, police arrested Ernesto Miranda on charges of rape and kidnapping. A witness identified him in Phoenix, AZ. Police interrogated him for a total of two hours. Surprisingly, Police never made Miranda aware of his constitutional right to an attorney. Nor did they make him aware of his right against self-incrimination. Nonetheless, Miranda signed a written confession. The confession stated that he was aware of these rights.
On June 27, 1963, the court convicted and sentenced Miranda to a maximum of 55 years in prison. However, Miranda’s lawyer appealed the case to the Arizona Supreme Court. The AZ Supreme Court agreed with the original decision. Shockingly, on June 13, 1966, Chief Justice Earl Warren and the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the decision.
U.S. Supreme Court Ruling
Intestingly, the Supreme Court’s decision in 1966 of Miranda v. Arizona addressed three other cases as well. Police never gave the defendant a full and effective warning of his rights in Vignera v. New York, Westover v. United States or California v. Stewart
Later, after Arizona’s ruling was overturned, the state court retried Miranda without presenting his confession. The AZ Court convicted Miranda of the same charges and sentenced him to 30 years, maximum. Sadly, on January 31, 1976, Miranda was stabbed to death, just four years after his release on parole, Ironically, the man who killed Miranda, did receive his Miranda rights.
To this day, the Miranda Rights or Warnings remain:
-You have the right to remain silent.
-Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
-You have the right to an attorney.
-If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Sources: Library of Congress; U.S. Courts
Image: AdobeStock
