Miranda Rights – What Are They & How Do You Know if Yours Were Violated? 

“You have the right to remain silent.” Those words are famous. Even if you’ve never been arrested, you know those words, and you know what they mean. “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” What these words mean is that you have the right not to answer questions or to respond to officers or other law enforcement personnel during and after your arrest because anything you say can be used later to argue your guilt.  

Officers are required to read you these rights, known as Miranda rights, when you are arrested or before you are interrogated. Officers should tell you that you have the right to remain silent, you have the right to have a lawyer present during questioning, that anything you say can be used against you in a court of law, and that if you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you by the courts.  

Some people mistakenly believe that if they are not read their Miranda rights, the charges against them will not stick. While that’s not true, there are some legal consequences for Miranda right violations. If you were not warned of your Miranda rights, any statements you make may be deemed inadmissible in court, or your attorney may be able to argue that your statements or “confession” were coerced.  

You will know that your Miranda rights have been violated if police question you without advising you of these rights. The questioning must take place while you are in custody, such as if you are arrested or you are brought in for questioning without being given the option. Officers asking you questions after being pulled out for a traffic stop, for example, do not have to advise you of your Miranda rights. But officers questioning you after an arrest do have to advise you of your rights. Officers must also be questioning you about your involvement in a crime for a Miranda rights violation to have occurred.  

What if your Miranda Rights have been violated?

If you have been arrested, and you feel that your Miranda rights have been violated, contact an attorney as soon as possible. Stop answering officers’ questions, and advise them that you will not answer any more questions until you consult with an attorney. Then call Integrity Bail Bonds as soon as possible to post your bond and be released from jail so that officers do not have continued opportunities to harass or interrogate you. We’ll help you get out of jail quickly so that you can better minimize your risks for incriminating yourself with officers.

In jail? Integrity Bail Bonds is the Tampa Bay bail bonds service you can trust for more than 25 years

Integrity Bail Bonds offers bonds in Clearwater and throughout Tampa Bay. We are conveniently located across the street from the Pinellas County jail. We offer fast service and flexible payment options. All it takes is one simple phone call to get started. Call us today at (727) 592-0744, or use our secure online form to learn more. We treat everyone with respect and dignity, and we practice discretion to protect your confidentiality.