What are Miranda warnings?

Miranda warnings refer specifically to the rights that law enforcement officers must inform a suspect of when that individual is in custody and subject to interrogation. The purpose of these warnings is to protect the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and to ensure that any statement made by the suspect during interrogation can be used in court. The warnings typically include informing the suspect of their right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and that anything said can be used against them in court.

This requirement originates from the landmark Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona, which established that suspects must be made aware of their rights before any questioning occurs after they have been taken into custody. The emphasis on the rights being provided when a suspect is in custody is crucial; if these warnings are not given, any subsequent statements made by the suspect may be inadmissible in court.

The other options do not correctly depict what Miranda warnings are. A list of charges, formal court notifications, and legal procedures for interrogations address different aspects of the legal process and do not specifically refer to the rights of suspects during custodial interrogation.