Understanding Miranda Rights
Let’s talk about Miranda Rights and what it sounds like when you’re being read them. Hi, my name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa criminal defense attorney at Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for almost 10 years now, and I want to help you make law easy by just talking about what it sounds like when you’re being advised of your Miranda Rights.
Most of us have a general idea of what Miranda Rights are. You’ve probably heard them on TV a hundred times: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you.
What Miranda Rights Sound Like
That’s the basic idea — but it’s not always word-for-word, and the exact phrasing can vary a bit. What matters is what you’re told, not how it’s said. Here’s what you should be listening for:
Were you told that you have the right to remain silent? Were you told that anything you say could be used against you in court? Were you told that you have the right to an attorney during questioning?
Ensuring Your Rights Are Protected
If the answer is yes to all of those, you were properly Mirandized. If the answer is no, and you were in custody, then your statements might be challenged in court. Now, police often go a step further and ask you to sign a Miranda waiver—a document saying you understand your rights and are choosing to speak anyway. Pro tip: Don’t do that. Just don’t.
Before you sign anything after an arrest, slow down. Please read it. Understand it. Because once you sign and start talking, you’ve waived those rights—and whatever you say can and will come back to bite you.
Contact a Tulsa Criminal Attorney Today
If you’re wondering whether your rights were violated or you weren’t properly advised during an arrest, let’s talk. I’m Tulsa criminal attorney Carl Birkhead with Wirth Law Office, and I want to help you make law easy.
Schedule a Low-Cost Initial Strategy Session
Don’t wait until it’s too late to understand your rights fully. Call me today at 918-879-1681 for a low-cost initial strategy session. Your future may depend on it.
