International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEA) Criminal Law Practice Exam

What does Miranda not protect against?

1. Admission made in police presence

2. Coerced confessions made in custody

3. A wrongful arrest

4. Information obtained without consent

The correct answer is: A wrongful arrest

Miranda rights, stemming from the Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona, are designed to protect individuals during custodial interrogation. Specifically, these rights safeguard against self-incrimination by ensuring that individuals are informed of their rights to remain silent and to have an attorney present during questioning. A wrongful arrest does not fall under the protections provided by Miranda rights. While a wrongful arrest raises significant legal issues, such as potentially violating the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, it does not pertain to the circumstances of custodial interrogation that Miranda rights address. Therefore, even if someone has been wrongfully arrested, their rights regarding self-incrimination and the need for Miranda warnings are not implicated in that specific context. In contrast, coerced confessions and admissions made in the presence of police relate directly to the circumstances that Miranda protections cover, as these situations can lead to self-incrimination. Information obtained without consent can also engage issues related to unlawfully obtained evidence, which Miranda rights intend to prevent during custodial scenarios. Thus, understanding the distinct realm in which Miranda rights function highlights why a wrongful arrest is not something that Miranda protects against.