International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEA) Criminal Law Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success

A custodial interrogation is characterized by a situation where an individual’s freedom of action is significantly restricted, such that they are essentially in police custody. This typically occurs when a suspect is either formally arrested or is not free to leave the location where questioning is taking place due to overwhelming police presence or coercive tactics. The clear lack of freedom to exit or terminate the questioning constitutes the essence of custody.

In contrast, open-ended conversations or informal questioning, such as that occurring in a casual environment or on the street, do not impose significant restrictions on the individual’s liberty. In those scenarios, individuals often retain the choice to engage in conversation or to leave without any compelling pressure from law enforcement. Thus, the defining feature of custodial interrogation hinges on the meaningful deprivation of freedom experienced by the individual being questioned.