Miranda Rights, Post 1966
An examination of the evolution of Miranda Rights post the 1966 ruling sheds valuable insights into the shifting balance between rights and responsibilities.
Below is a timeline of subsequent Supreme Court rulings that have impacted Miranda Rights. To read more about the cases mentioned below, click here.
Below is a timeline of subsequent Supreme Court rulings that have impacted Miranda Rights. To read more about the cases mentioned below, click here.
A Continually Shifting Balance Between Rights and Responsibilities |
This cartoon ridicules the overly broad rulings in Miranda v. Arizona, which would have to be narrowed in subsequent cases. (Credit: Washington Post, Tom Toles)
Political cartoon during the Obama Presidency that illustrates how as the nation changes, so will the protections under Miranda. (2010, Credit: Daniel Kurtzman)
This cartoon advocates the need for the US to give the Boston Bomber Miranda Rights, illustrating that the protections under Miranda continue to be challenged. (2013, Credit: Daryl Cagle)
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In the fifty years since Miranda, the Supreme Court has narrowed the protections offered by Miranda.
In the post-911 era, the government's responsibilities to protect the people are frequently being placed above the rights of the people. The continual rebalancing between rights and responsibilities has demonstrated a net shift toward government's responsibilities over people's rights. Most recently, protests to the NSA have prompted President Obama to revamp the NSA, demonstrating a shift back to the people's rights. Miranda's future will be once again determined by rebalancing people's rights and the government's responsibilities. |
"As long as you have people who believe that there should be more emphasis on government power to maintain security, based on the level of the threat...this trend of a weakening protection of Miranda will continue."
- Dr. Hugh Roberts, Former Criminal Defense Attorney (2014 Interview) |
"But there is a balance...The way I view it, my job is both to protect the American people and to protect the American way of life, which includes our privacy. And so every program that we engage in, what I’ve said is 'Let’s examine and make sure that we’re making the right tradeoffs.' "
- President Obama on the debate over the NSA surveillance program (2013, Credit: Interview by Charlie Rose)
- President Obama on the debate over the NSA surveillance program (2013, Credit: Interview by Charlie Rose)
Additionally, Miranda has brought about more rights for law enforcement to secure additional resources.
"One of the most wonderful aspects of Miranda...is that it prompted local, state, and federal government to devote greater resources to the law enforcement function. So now, we have a professional, well-trained law enforcement community."
- Judge Andre Davis, Senior Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (2014 Interview)
"One of the most wonderful aspects of Miranda...is that it prompted local, state, and federal government to devote greater resources to the law enforcement function. So now, we have a professional, well-trained law enforcement community."
- Judge Andre Davis, Senior Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (2014 Interview)
"Miranda brought about a new level of professionalism to the police department."
- Robert Corbin, Prosecuting Attorney in Ernesto Miranda's initial 1963 trial (Interview by Josh Blackman, 2011)
- Robert Corbin, Prosecuting Attorney in Ernesto Miranda's initial 1963 trial (Interview by Josh Blackman, 2011)