In part one of this two-part blog, we went over some of the basics of Miranda Rights. Read to anyone being questioned or interrogated, usually during an arrest, these protect the rights of citizens around the country.

At Beehive Bail Bonds, we can help save time, money and hassle during an arrest process by helping with this and numerous other areas, including cash bail bonds. Today, we’ll go over some of the unfortunate misconceptions that some people have surrounding Miranda Rights, what it means if they aren’t read to you during an arrest, and how you should act when it comes to these rights and how they protect you.

Interrogation Without Mirandizing

Probably the most common misconception out there about Miranda Rights, and maybe about arrests in general, is that law enforcement officers cannot interrogate you or ask you any questions at all until they’re read to you. Simply put, this is false.

Officers can interrogate you however they want without Miranda Rights – they simply can’t use those statements as evidence against you in court. But that doesn’t mean they can’t use the information to guide their investigation; if you give them evidence against yourself before having your rights read, they can base their entire process on what you tell them even though they can’t use that as evidence later on. If they find new evidence on their own based on what you told them, that’s your own fault.

Other Misconceptions

Some additional misconceptions related to Miranda Rights:

• You can walk free if you aren’t read yours: Somehow, the myth that you will simply cease to be prosecuted if your Miranda Rights aren’t given has become very popular. It’s simply not true – Miranda Rights are only for specific, direct questioning, which may not even take place in your case.
• Things said outside interrogations aren’t admissible: Nope. Once you’ve been read your Miranda Rights and given an interrogation, you’re on the hook for anything you say in the presence of law enforcement officers.
• Evidence based on non-Miranda statements can’t be used: As we touched on above, even though non-Mirandized statements you make can’t be used in court, further information investigators are able to discover as a result absolutely can and will be.

Say Nothing

For all the reasons above, our advice is simple anytime you’re in an arrest or interrogation situation: Say nothing. Even while you’re sitting in a police vehicle and not under interrogation, for instance, cameras or audio recording devices are likely on and anything you say that isn’t a direct response to an officer’s question can be used as evidence later on. So unless an officer asks you for basic information like your name or similar non-incriminating information, say nothing until counsel is present.

For more on Miranda Rights, or to learn about any of our bail bond services, speak to the pros at Beehive Bail Bonds today.