I read that a large majority of criminals choose not to exercise their miranda rights (refuse attorney, etc...)...why?? why would anyone do this?
2007-02-01 11:11:29 · 5 answers · asked by joe T 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Who said criminals (especially those that get arrested) are smart???
2007-02-01 11:15:27 · answer #1 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is a Canadian question, which I assume it is, all of our criminals would refuse because Miranda Rights are only in the USA ;o)
As one of the persons who for some time took the "first phone call" from criminals in two provinces, I can say that many accused did not call for legal advice and that many accused spoke with police despite the right not to, other than to give name and address. Why is this? Some were drunk and/or high and didn't know what they were doing. Others were too angry to think straight or thought they could outsmart the police or intimidate them. All in all, they failed to realise that when you are arrested, the best things to do are chill out, say as little as possible, get some legal advice, and take your next steps only after you have really thought about what makes the most sense to do.
In sum, I think people who are arrested fail to exercise their rights because they do not realise how important those rights are and they do not realise what those rights do.
End of sermon
2007-02-01 20:06:11 · answer #2 · answered by Eric W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason why most people do not exercise their constitutional right to remain silent is because they are unaware that they have this right or they do not know how to enforce it.
The police often do not advise suspects of their Miranda warnings until after they have already convinced them to speak. Many people who are advised of their rights don't really understand them. Many times police are able to convince a suspect that if they invoke their rights it will only make things harder on them (this is not true- but many people believe it).
2007-02-01 19:38:11 · answer #3 · answered by Jen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are guilty, and a career criminal, you know that you can get a better deal just telling the truth. If you waste the police or DA's time, they are going to recommend a harder sentence. They just want to clean up your case and get on with the next, and they are willing to bargain with you on sentencing to expedite this.
2007-02-01 19:16:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are ugly illegals who don't know their rights from their lefts.
2007-02-01 19:17:45 · answer #5 · answered by bigsey93harrison37 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋