Miranda vs. Arizona
Few events have altered the course of American legal practice more than the 1963 rape and kidnapping conviction of Ernesto Miranda. The primary evidence against him was a signed confession he made while in police custody. However, the grounds on which that confession was obtained began a heated debate on the rights of the accused and prompted a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision. On March 3, 1963, an 18-year-old girl was assailed by a man she described as a Mexican, in his late 20's, who was driving an early fifties car. By chance, one week later, the girl and her brother-in-law saw what they believed was the car, and it was registered to Ernesto Miranda. At this time, Miranda had a long history of emotional instability and criminal behavior including a one-year jail term for attempted rape. At police headquarters Miranda was placed in a line-up with three other Mexicans of similar stature, and while the victim did not positively identify Miranda, she said he bore the closest resemblance to her attacker. Detectives Carroll Cooley and
At his trial before a jury, the written confession was admitted into evidence over the objection of defense counsel, and the officers testified to the prior oral confession made by Miranda during the interrogation. Consequently, on June 27, 1963, Ernesto Miranda was convicted and sentenced to 20 to 30 years' imprisonment on each count, the sentences to run concurrently. On appeal, the Supreme Court of Arizona held that Miranda's constitutional rights were not violated in getting the confession and the conviction was upheld. In 1966, the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Earl Warren, heard the Miranda case and eliminated a great deal of confusion about confessions. Its purpose was to ensure that the poor, uneasy in the presence of police and unfamiliar with their rights under the law, would be told of their right to legal counsel and assured that they did not need to answer questions until counsel was provided. Police and prosecutors both viewed this class of people as providing the bulk of criminal activity and were concerned that providing
Some common words found in the essay are:
Earl Warren, Wilfred Miranda, Supreme Court, Court Arizona, Ernesto Miranda, Miranda Miranda, Fifth Amendment, , supreme court, Consequently June, ernesto miranda, Chief Justice, justice earl warren, earl warren, justice earl, chief justice, legal rights, knowledge legal, law enforcement, written confession, chief justice earl, knowledge legal rights, legal counsel,
Approximate Word count = 713
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
