When are Miranda warnings required to be issued?

Miranda warnings are required to be issued prior to interrogation while a person is in custody. The purpose of these warnings is to inform individuals of their rights, particularly the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, before they are subject to questioning by law enforcement.

The requirement for these warnings emerges from the legal principle established in the Miranda v. Arizona case, which emphasizes the protection of an accused person's Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. It is crucial to provide these warnings once a person is in custody, as being in custody implies that their freedom of movement is significantly restricted, which could lead to the coercion of their statements during an interrogation.

In contrast, issuing Miranda warnings immediately after an arrest or at the time of booking does not satisfy the legal requirement since the timing focuses primarily on the point of custody and interrogation. Furthermore, the necessity for these warnings is not limited to serious offenses; they must be provided for any custodial interrogation, regardless of the severity of the crime.