You have the right to remain silent. This is the first clause of the Miranda Rights, a set of rights the police must read aloud to anyone they arrest.

You have the right to an attorney. This is the second clause of the Miranda Rights.

The purpose of the Miranda Rights is to ensure that defendants are fully aware of their rights. Even if they are being arrested and accused of committing a crime, defendants have rights. Years ago, when the police were not required to read the Miranda Rights, the validity of some defendant’s confessions, and even the police’s interrogation methods, were questioned. Some defendants were not aware they did not have to answer the police’s questions.

Today with the Miranda Rights in place, there is less room for error and confusion, and more room for a jus...