He was informed that he didn't have to speak but chose to anyway. If you grow up in he US and you are not smart enough to ask for a lawyer then you didn't watch enough Law and Order. It is not societies responsibility to protect stupid people from themselves just to protect the rest of us from them.
Sitting there and staring at the police while they ask you questions is confrontational and uncooperative. The person can be "uncooperative" by simply saying, "I want a lawyer. Provide one for me or let me call my own."
That is the end of discussion (although there are ways around that) through the methods I mention below in my post. The police could start back in with general, unrelated conversation, make the person feel guilty or ashamed for not cooperating, and then get him/her to waive the right to an attorney.
It seems, unless I am misunderstanding, that the Court has clarified that sitting in silence and being a jackass does not constitute an "understood" invoking of the right to representation and to not self-incriminate. It has made very clear to the police whether they may continue or not continue interrogating in such a circumstance. If that is the case then the Court has basically clarified that acting the fool will not get confessions thrown out later.
Seems like the right and logical ruling to me.
But wine was the great assassin of both tradition and propriety...
-Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
-Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
This message last edited by everynametaken on 02/06/2010 at 03:07:47 AM
SCOTUS Update: Right to remain silent? Suspect better speak up - 
- 01/06/2010 07:53:14 PM
1268 Views
- 01/06/2010 07:53:14 PM
1268 Views
What I don't like about this decision...
- 01/06/2010 08:21:02 PM
836 Views
I think the only potential issue is if the person didn't understand the Miranda warning.
- 01/06/2010 10:37:42 PM
769 Views
*NM*
that is an odd way of looking at it
- 01/06/2010 11:58:12 PM
792 Views
I'm more referring to the almost "magic words" that Kennedy introduces here.
- 02/06/2010 12:18:07 AM
800 Views
So we should not allow police to question people at all?
- 02/06/2010 12:31:27 AM
726 Views
You won't hear me complain if the Miranda rights are scaled back a bit.
- 02/06/2010 12:40:23 AM
710 Views
The way I see it...
- 02/06/2010 03:06:01 AM
874 Views
Forgot to mention - the 5-4 decision was split between cons and libs, but.....
- 01/06/2010 08:36:41 PM
737 Views
This seems reasonable to me.
- 01/06/2010 09:47:34 PM
814 Views
I'm stunned. Your response was reasoned, logical and concise. What have you done with Joel?
- 01/06/2010 10:43:22 PM
771 Views
Joel is going to be so pissed when he finds out that you logged onto his account.....
- 02/06/2010 01:42:50 AM
783 Views
Hey deaf people who can't speak... pound sand.
- 01/06/2010 09:55:41 PM
868 Views
well the deaf can simply close their eyes and end the interview
- 02/06/2010 12:26:31 AM
750 Views
Re: well the deaf can simply close their eyes and end the interview
- 02/06/2010 03:57:35 AM
767 Views
you are often questioned by the police? What are you doing to make that happen?
- 02/06/2010 03:35:47 PM
803 Views
This decision is a setback for us all.
- 01/06/2010 10:10:51 PM
885 Views
No it isn't.
- 01/06/2010 10:42:06 PM
794 Views
Re: No it isn't.
- 01/06/2010 11:26:07 PM
808 Views
Teach people to say "I'm not saying anything until my lawyer gets here." Period. *NM*
- 02/06/2010 12:38:24 AM
321 Views
Close, but not cigar.
- 02/06/2010 01:30:19 AM
811 Views
if they catch more bad guys is that a bad thing? *NM*
- 02/06/2010 01:50:12 AM
332 Views
Would you be okay with the prohibition of firearms if it lowered the crime rate?
- 02/06/2010 02:18:26 AM
773 Views
You are at the intersection of bull and shit.
- 02/06/2010 04:00:32 PM
791 Views
I am confused
- 01/06/2010 11:09:14 PM
782 Views
Re: I am confused
- 01/06/2010 11:15:07 PM
718 Views
ummm, no...
- 02/06/2010 12:13:59 AM
805 Views
Re: ummm, no...
- 02/06/2010 01:38:54 AM
754 Views
Nothing has changed
- 02/06/2010 01:56:08 AM
753 Views
Except you risk waiving them unless you specifically say you want to use them.
- 02/06/2010 04:07:51 AM
783 Views
not surprising that people who use phrases like "Police State of America" believe that
- 02/06/2010 03:24:25 PM
773 Views
As far as I can tell, this changes nothing and simply maintains the status quo.
- 01/06/2010 11:27:36 PM
770 Views
For those who don't understand the techniques of police interrogation let me make this clear.
- 02/06/2010 01:57:51 AM
843 Views
Good advice
- 02/06/2010 04:00:45 AM
704 Views