The Case > The Facts
"This was originally a very typical criminal case..."
-Professor Peter Irons on the nature of the original Miranda Case. (Interview by C-Span, 1994)
-Professor Peter Irons on the nature of the original Miranda Case. (Interview by C-Span, 1994)
A Rape Case Gone National
"At that time, you could get a confession if you could show it was made without force, threats, or promises....the Phoenix Police Department did all of that." -Robin Corbin, Prosecuting Attorney in Ernesto Miranda's initial 1963 trial. (Interview with Josh Blackman, 2011) |
Investigation and Confession
Ernesto Miranda, a poor Mexican night laborer at a loading dock, is arrested. In a two hour interrogation, Miranda denies all charges. Miranda is then placed in a lineup, but the victim cannot positively identify Miranda. Nonetheless, Miranda is brought back to the interrogation room. As he walks in, the following discussion transpires between Miranda and Police Officer Carroll Cooley: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Miranda: "How did I do?" Cooley: "Not too good, Ernie" Miranda: "They identified me then?" Cooley: "Yes, Ernie, they did" Miranda: "Well, I guess I'd better tell you about it then." -Credit: The Miranda Ruling: Its Past, Present, and Future (2010) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Following this discussion, Miranda writes the following confession: “Seen a girl walking up street. Stopped a little ahead of her got out of car walked towards her grabbed her by the arm and asked to get in car. Got in car without force tied hands and ankles. Drove away for a few mile. Stopped asked to take clothes off. Did not, asked me to take her back home. I started to take clothes off her without any force and with cooperation. Asked her to lay down and she did...Told her to get clothes back on. Drove her home. I couldn't say I was sorry for what I had done but asked her to pray for me. ” -Credit: The Miranda Ruling: Its Past, Present, and Future (2010) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the top of the Miranda's confession is the following statement. "I, ____________________, hereby swear that I make this statement voluntarily and of my own free will, with no threats, coercion, or promises of immunity, and with full knowledge of my legal rights, understanding any statement can be used against me." -Credit: Oral Argument of John Flynn on behalf of Ernesto Miranda, Miranda v. Arizona (1966) Miranda is not at any point explicitly informed of his right to an attorney or his Fifth Amendment rights. |