31 Jul “Do You Understand Your Rights?” What Your Miranda Rights Mean
If you ever get arrested you will be informed of your rights. The officers might not literally recite all of your Miranda rights, but they are required to tell you what those rights are. Every U.S. citizen has the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. But do you understand what those rights actually mean?
Why You Need to Understand Your Rights
Being in custody, questioned by police, and facing a night behind bars. It sounds really scary, right?
Now factor in law enforcement saying something like: “Hey, just confess, we already have the evidence. We’ll go easier on you if you do.” Or they might tell you that you have to answer their questions, whether your lawyer is present or not.
This kind of manipulation can lead to false confessions, coerced confessions, or other problems later on at trial. It isn’t illegal for the police to lie to you. But it is illegal for you to lie to them.
Any questions you answer and any information you volunteer can be used against you. That is why understanding your rights (like the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer) are so important. If you unknowingly waived your rights by speaking with the police, it’s going to get a little complicated.
What If I Didn’t Understand My Rights?
First, it is important to have a discussion with your attorney about what you didn’t understand at the time.
For example, if you were under the influence and unable to understand, if there was a language barrier (there are translators available), or if law enforcement neglected to read you your rights in their entirety. Any details about the arrest and the way they informed you of your rights are important and may help your case.
A Miranda rights violation could be enough for a judge to dismiss your case.
What If I Accidentally Waived My Rights?
If you don’t understand your rights, it’s easy to make a mistake. For instance, your right to remain silent means you can’t say anything at all. If you start talking, you are waiving your right to remain silent. The police are not supposed to continue an interrogation after a suspect asks for an attorney, unless the suspect initiates further communication (starts talking).
When this happens, the officers need to prove that the waiver of your rights was voluntary and made intelligently. One of the ways they prove this is with a verbal yes or no. But if that statement is not recorded, they may ask you to sign documents saying you waived your rights.
Never sign any documents without consulting your lawyer.
Need a Defense Attorney in Phoenix? Call Coolidge Law
If you were arrested, detained, or held for questioning, and are concerned your rights have been violated, you need to speak with a certified defense attorney. A good defense lawyer will make sure you are treated fairly. If your rights were violated, they will ask the judge to dismiss your case.
At Coolidge Law, we give every single client our personal attention, and we’re here to fight on your side. Contact us today to request a consultation in Phoenix or Scottsdale.
Looking for more information on your Miranda rights? This article is part 5 of a series.
Part 1: You Have The Right To Remain Silent
Part 2: Anything You Do Or Say Can Be Used Against You
Part 3: You Have The Right To An Attorney
Part 4: If You Cannot Afford an Attorney, One Will Be Appointed for You
Photo by Jason Gooljar on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 7/29/26.
Todd Coolidge graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He attended Arizona State University College of Law and has been practicing law exclusively as a criminal defense attorney since graduating in 1990. He has over 25 years of experience and is certified as a Criminal Law Specialist through the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.