The United States Constitution sets specific rights for people in this country. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The Fifth Amendment outlines certain rights that you have to protect you against self-incrimination, including the right to remain silent.
In 1966, the United States Supreme Court heard a case titled Miranda v. Arizona. The result of that case was a ruling that established the Miranda rights. If you’re being detained and interrogated by police officers, remember these important points about your Miranda rights:
You must invoke your rights
You must make it clear that you’re invoking your right to remain silent. You can’t just be quiet and hope the police officers understand. Instead, you might say something such as, “I choose to remain silent” or “I invoke my Fifth Amendment rights” so they can’t deny that you invoked them.
Your rights are absolute
Your rights are absolute. Once you invoke them, they apply to law enforcement officers across the board. They can’t just call in new officers to resume questioning you.
Violations of your rights may be part of your defense strategy
If police officers violate your Miranda rights, you may be able to use that information as part of your defense strategy. It’s crucial that you make notes about what happened at the time of the violation so you can discuss this with your legal representative.
Anyone facing criminal charges in Florida should ensure they understand their rights. Working with someone familiar with your case may help you to learn the options you have. Try to get started on a defense strategy quickly so you aren’t stuck having to use a rushed strategy that might not suit you well.