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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCourt: Silence Can Be Used Against Suspects
Probably already posted but
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/court-silence-suspects-25000247
SAN FRANCISCO The California Supreme Court has ruled that the silence of suspects can be used against them.
Prosecutors repeatedly told jurors during the trial that Tom's failure to ask about the victims immediately after the crash but before police read him his so-called Miranda rights showed his guilt.
Legal analysts said the ruling could affect future cases, allowing prosecutors to exploit a suspect's refusal to talk before invoking 5th Amendment rights against self-incrimination.
"It's a very dangerous ruling," Zilversmit said. "If you say anything to the police, that can be used against you. Now, if you don't say anything before you are warned of your rights, that too can be used against you."
The state Supreme Court in a 4-3 ruling said Tom needed to explicitly assert his right to remain silent before he was read his Miranda rights for the silence to be inadmissible in court.
phantom power
(25,966 posts)They aren't for giving goddamned permission.
Our entire country has lost its fucking mind.
underpants
(182,949 posts)From a SCOTUS ruling last year. Link in reply#3
I completely agree with you phantom
From the Slate article:
Justice Samuel Alito blithely responded that Salinas was free to leave and did not assert his right to remain silent. He was silent. But somehow, without a lawyer, and without being told his rights, he should have affirmatively invoked his right to not answer questions. Two other justices signed on to Alitos opinion. Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Antonin Scalia joined the judgment, but for a different reason; they think Salinas had no rights at all to invoke before his arrest (they also object to Miranda itself).
PoutrageFatigue
(416 posts)The fucking Miranda warning says, in it's very first words "You have the RIGHT to remain silent"....If you remain silent from the beginning of the interview/interrogation doesn't logic dictate that the RIGHT to remain silent has been invoked?
Surely this stupid, unconstitutional ruling is being challenged somewhere, right? RIGHT????
underpants
(182,949 posts)Slightly different story - this guy was not charged only being questioned
eShirl
(18,505 posts)it wasn't designed to be like a D&D wizard spell
"I cast Right to Remain Silent on myself!"
"Sorry, not quick enough."
onethatcares
(16,192 posts)nummer one, we are nummer one.
that pesky piece of paper don't mean shit anymore.
murica, home of the atlanta braves.
Johonny
(20,912 posts)So modern America that you have to speak about your desire to assert your right to remain silent in order to have the right to remain silent. It is like the Supreme Court needs to look up the definition of the word silent.
underpants
(182,949 posts)You are right. You have to speak to establish silence?
BEFORE - if the cop says "You..." and starts Miranda you are out of luck. You can talk (never helps) or just be silent which now can be used as an admission of guilt.
Link above - SCOTUS (guess which ones) ruled the same way last year.
Absurdity reigns.
GeorgeGist
(25,324 posts)gullible minds.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Fascists.
K&R