Myths about Miranda Rights

03/13/2013

In an on-going effort to serve the community in the most professional and responsive manner possible, the South Los Angeles Sheriff's Station has initiated a social media based community outreach program entitled "Myth vs. Fact: The Law and You."

The purpose of this program will be to provide weekly legal and/or sheriff's department policy information to the community through the use of social media. The community will also be afforded the opportunity to e-mail questions directly to the station for discussion or clarification.

This week's topic: Myths about Miranda Rights

At one time or another, you have probably seen a television show wherein a police officer arrests someone and immediately states, "You have the right to remain silent." Is this something police officers are really required to do? Contrary to the beliefs of many, the answer is no.

Commonly referred to as a "Miranda warning," law enforcement officers are required to advise a person of his or her right to legal representation, as well as the right to avoid self incrimination only when the following criteria is met:

The person must be in police custody

The person is about to be interrogated

In other words, if either one of these circumstances does not exist, advising someone of his or her Miranda rights is not legally required.

So, the next time you are enjoying your favorite police TV show remember, it's simply entertainment and probably not factually accurate.

For additional questions or comments about anything discussed in this topic, please feel free to e-mail South Los Angeles Station at slamediarelations@lasd.org

Lieutenant Jeff Adams

South Los Angeles Sheriff's Station

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

(323) 820-6700

http://www.southla.lasd.org

SHBNewsroom@lasd.org

www.Nixle.com

http://nixle.com/lasd----hq-newsroom-shb-los-angeles-county-sheriff/

Twitter @LASD_News http://twitter.com/#!/LASD_News

http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment

Sheriff Leroy D. Baca

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff's station. If you wish to remain Anonymous you may do so by calling "LA Crime Stoppers" at 800-222-TIPS (8477), by texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

To receive more detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) via e-mail, go to www.Nixle.com and register for "Nixle" alerts from "LASD Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" and your local LASD station area. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.

Address/Location

LASD - HQ Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff

4700 W Ramona Blvd

Monterey Park, CA 91754

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Contact Information: Lieutenant Jeff Adams - (323) 820-6700,